#shamila

Part 4: The Last

Epilogue

After Shamila left, Steve continued to keep his promise and called her whenever he could...

They obviously lived on opposite sides of the house and couldn't see each other whenever they wanted...

The day came when the couple finally moved to Charlotte, much to the delight of Shamila, who was over the moon...

They were able to take time off to celebrate the girl's 14th birthday with her, which was her biggest surprise...

At first, she had a hard time talking about it with her classmates for fear of being bullied. But she ended up confiding in her childhood best friend, whom she'd known since kindergarten, and who was also delighted to meet them on this occasion...

Steve, for his part, was happy to discover his daughter's world. He discovered a teenager who was a very good student, loved the choir, and adored animals. She even confided in him that she wanted to become a veterinarian.

Steve was proud of her; he truly considered her the greatest achievement of his life...

He had since shared the news with his mother, who dreamed of meeting her new granddaughter, and Shamila was thrilled to "finally" have a loving grandmother...

Indeed, her mother had confided in the guys that she had moved to North Carolina to live with her beloved grandmother because her own parents, devout Catholics, had mobbed the door after announcing her pregnancy; she had never introduced them to Shamila...

Steve felt sad for her but reassured by his mother's reaction...

Shamila's first birthday was memorable...

He so regretted not having attended the previous ones, thinking he'd missed everything about her development: her birth, her first steps and words, her starting school...

All of this broke his heart, but Neal reminded him that despite everything, the best was yet to come and that new memories would be made...

Shamila's 15th birthday arrived, then her 16th...

And Steve was always there whenever he could...

He watched his daughter grow up visibly, evolving from a young girl to an increasingly confident young woman who had recently started university...

At that same time, Shamila's mother discovered some sad news...

She had already been plagued by illness for some time, but not being the type to give up, she would fight to stay alive and see her daughter graduate...

Shamila is absolutely upset by this news that she shared with her father who was as sorry as she was about the situation...

teve had promised Shamila he'd always be there for her, and she knew she could count on him...

University drew to a close, and 19-year-old Shamila graduated under the moved gaze of her parents...

Her mother, very weak, had insisted on attending the event physically despite the fact that she needed to rest as much as possible...

The young woman introduced them to her boyfriend, whom she'd been seeing for almost three months at that point...

The young man was delighted to meet her parents but also very impressed to meet Steve Perry, who greeted him with a friendly handshake...

After almost three years of fighting, Shamila's mother passed away in her daughter's arms. Steve and Neal were, of course, present, this time with the group to support her...

Steve stayed with Shamila in Charlotte, helping her arrange the details of her mother's funeral.

He got to know his daughter's boyfriend better and better, seeing him as so thoughtful and loving, which delighted him; he was a good guy for Shamila.

The following year, Shamila turned 20 and began veterinary studies.

That same year, she announced her engagement to Steve and Neal.

On the big day, Steve beamed with pride as he walked her down the aisle; his little girl was a woman now.

Neal, deeply moved, watched the scene with tears in his eyes.

Indeed, Neal adored Shamila, partly because she reminded him of his loving husband. On the other hand, he loved her own personality, both shy and confident, her humor and kindness.

He sincerely considered her his own daughter. She considered him her father too...

The year following the wedding marked a turning point in Steve's life...

Shamila and her husband received the happiest news...

S: NEEEEAAAAL!!!!

N: STEVE! Is everything okay!!!!???

S: Shamila is pregnant!

N: Nooooo!! Really?? Incredible Stevie!!!

S: I'm...

Going to be...

A grandfather!!! 🥹😳😂

N: And this child will have the sexiest grandfather ever...🥹🥹😂😂🤭

The pregnancy went well, but Steve was particularly worried about Shamila. He didn't really know how to manage his emotions or how to take care of a baby at the same time.

Neal and Sham tried to reassure him, and Steve began researching all the childcare books he could find to prepare himself.

Shortly before the birth, Steve and Neal had traveled to the hospital a few days beforehand.

Labor began.

Shamila was in her living room with her husband, Steve, and Neal when her water broke.

Steve screamed in panic when he saw all the fluid covering the floor, obviously due to a lack of knowledge on the subject.

The contractions intensified, and it was time to go to the maternity ward.

Shamila's husband drove her there, promising to update the couple as soon as there was any change.

Hours passed, night had fallen, and Steve was unable to sleep, doing the 100 steps like a caged lion...

N: Honey? Please come and rest! You're exhausted...

S: I can't, it's stressing me out too much, Neal, to... to know what's going on...

She must be suffering...

I want to do something...

N: Stevie, I know you've read about it in books, but that's just how it is. Shamila is suffering for a good cause right now, and her husband is with her to support her, so you don't have to worry...

He'll call us as soon as the baby is here...

S: Sorry, love...

Suddenly, a bell rang around 5:00 a.m....

Steve, who had fallen asleep, woke up with a start...

S: Neal!!! The baby's born!!!

It's a boy!!!

N: Congratulations on your grandson, my love...❤️

S: OUR grandson Neal...🥹❤️

The next day, Neal and Steve arrived at the maternity ward...

Neal and their son-in-law insisted that Steve see the baby alone first...

He knocked on the bedroom door while swallowing...

Sh: Come in!

Steve entered slowly; he didn't want to make any noise...

He saw his daughter, lying in bed, with dark circles under her eyes, visibly exhausted from childbirth, and holding the sacred little bundle...

She was breastfeeding...

S: My god! My daughter has become a mom...🥹

Sh: Hello, Dad, come here...

Steve turned around first to give Shamila time to put her scrubs back on...

He burst into tears at the sight of the baby...

S: Aaaaw, Sham! How beautiful he is, you are truly incredible...🥹❤️

Sh: Thank you 🥹❤️

Do you want to take him?

Steve panicked. He was scared of that moment, having never really interacted with such small babies...

S: Sham! I... I'm scared I'll drop him...

Sh: Don't be scared, Dad, I was scared too, actually, but you'll manage...🤭

So Steve instinctively reached out his arms. He was surprised by the baby's lightness and couldn't contain his emotion...

S: Hey! Hello, little one! Welcome to this world. I'm your grandfather, and I promise to watch over you...

You're so lucky to have parents like yours, and your mom was so brave during your arrival, I'm sure of it...

Your grandmother is also watching over you from the stars...

I already love you so much, little treasure...

Sh: We named him Jesse, Dad, and his middle name is Stephen, we named it in your honor...😍

Steve was so proud when he announced the name...

He hadn't met Shamila when she was a baby as small as Jesse, but he didn't expect her to decide to name him after himself...

S: Jesse Stephen...🥹

Thank you, my dear, what a wonderful gift.

Sh: It was obvious to us, you know. You may not have known me until I was thirteen, but you've always been there since we met...

S: Sham, you are exceptional...🥹❤️

Sh: I love you so much, Dad...🥹❤️

Steve and Shamila looked at each other tenderly, then he looked at the baby...

He thought it was the most beautiful baby in the world, and he owed it to his dear daughter...

“where were you in the morning, baby?