Chapter 2.

Her child, not legally but soon, was the most angelic looking baby Lara had ever seen and the manner in which they met cemented his name, Ayan, meaning God's Gift. Ayan Nifemi was truly a gift from God and the past two weeks. since she met him, has been the happiest she's been all her life. There's been a certain pep to her steps and everyone around her noticed, even those at work, though she mostly worked from home.

For the past two weeks, Lara had been waiting for the day she'd be able to take her baby boy home. She'd turned the family room to a nursery worthy of a king, baby proofed the house, bought everything she thought a baby would need or want, and enough food and diapers for the next month or so. All that just remained was the baby himself.

Dayo, Dupe's husband assured her that she would be granted custody of the baby earlier than usual because of the unusual bond the baby has with her. She'd been staying at the hospital because her little angel had only allowed others to hold him, feed him or bathe him without a fight, if and only if Lara was in view. The nursing staff tried everything from using her pictures to video calls but her baby was a smart one and wasn't fooled by them.

When Lara woke that morning, she just knew that that day was going to be a more joyous day. How she knew, she couldn't tell, she just did. So when Dayo told her she is officially Ayan's guardian and he can go home with her, she wasn't surprised but was giddy with joy.

"Ayan my love, did you hear what Uncle Dayo just said? You are coming home with mommy!" Lara cooed at her angel in the bassinet. "It's just going to be me, you and no annoying nurses!" Lara whispered conspiratorially.

As if Ayan understood what she was about, he gave her his first toothless grin. "Oh God! Did you see that?!"

"Yes, I even got it on video. It was so cute." Lara looked up and realized for the first time that her best-friend had entered the room and was filming the whole interaction.

"My Ayan isn't just cute, he's magnificent. Right, Ayan?" Lara said into the camera then turned to place a kiss on his little head. "I love you, ifę mi, ayo mi, aye mi, omo mi. Mommy loves you so much." (Translation: I love you, my love, my joy, my life, my child).

"So when can we leave, Doc?" Lara couldn't keep the eagerness from her voice or face. She was practically vibrating.

"Soon as you can fill these papers? Or we could hold him for a few more days if you need to prepare?" Lara totally missed the teasing smile on Dupe's face.

"What?! Hell no! Give me those papers. Gimme!" Lara said as she snatched the discharge papers from Dupe. "You guys aren't keeping my baby locked up here no more. Ife Mi is coming home!" Lara giggled as she filled in the necessary information for her sweet darling baby, Ayan.

Dupe and Dayo shared a smile at the happiness shining on their friends face. They've never seen her so… filled with joy. It's like the former Lara on a sugar high. They loved it, maybe this baby was exactly what she needed.

On their way home, Lara couldn't stop smiling. Road rage became, road giddy. She even waved at the 'nice fellow' who gave her the finger after he brushed her car. Everything seemed so much funnier, happier and brighter. It seemed that every few minutes she was checking on Ayan. Lara couldn't believe her luck! That night she found Ayan was a true gift.

"Ayan! We're home honey, mommy's gonna show you around our home now." Lara cooed as she unbuckled him from his car seat. "My, you have a beautiful smile. You understand what mommy is saying, don't you? You are the smartest baby alive, I swear!"

Lara showed him around the house as she told him stories and what she has planned for their future together. "Geez, am I that boring?" Ayan yawned again. "Fine, fine, let's take you to bed. I have to talk to my parents anyway, they can't do anything now that I've signed the papers." Damn, that was one headache Lara wished to avoid.

Lara laid Ayan in his new ash and white bassinet and rocked him to sleep. Her heart felt so full and she'd do anything to make him happy and strong. Ayan gave her the strength she needed to inform her mom, when he smiled as she kissed his forehead.

Leaving the door ajar, Lara dialled her mother's number.

"Lara, I'm at work, I'll call you back."

"Mo—" She hung up. "Why's this woman like this? What if it was an emergency? God, I'll make sure not to make her my emergency contact."

Lara called her siblings, Tiwa and Toke, to ask for their support and inform them about her plan to invite their parents to her home and introduce Ayan. Considering that they were both living close by, they assured Lara of their presence.