Chapter 67

Seven years later.

There was no prettier sound than her daughter's laughter. The innocence her little angel beamed was mesmerizing. From the first time she held her in her arms, she could not stop wondering how amazing her little Aháva was.

The child ran along the corridors of the beautiful chalet. The one Ihshan Mobarek gave his granddaughter. That gorgeous little lady with light brown hair, green eyes and tan skin, she conquered him at first sight. Although she did not look much like his son, but his daughter in law, it was undeniable that the smile he so much adored, was his late wife's Mahabi, Amir's mother. At least, so he thought.

It was about 9 pm and Samanta was running after Aháva.

“That's enough, honey. You have school tomorrow and you must go to bed now.”

“I don't want to go to bed yet, mommy. I want to play a little more” her daughter's little voice was music to her ears.

“Time to sleep, or you won't want to get up tomorrow” said Sam. The girl pouted. “No, no, no. I am not falling for your traps this time.”

Aháva crossed her arms and frowned. It was unbelievable how that little angel face managed to touch the deepest fibers in Samanta's soul.

Their eyes met.

“What's going on here? Is this a stare-off?” Asked Amir jokingly as he came into the room. Aháva let out a lovely laughter.

“No, daddy. Mommy says it's time to sleep and I don't want to sleep yet.”

“Ow, mommy! Why are you like this to my princess?” Amir took the child between his arms while he tickled her neck with soft, little bites.

Amir kept his word. He wedded her and gave her everything she wanted. He became a father to her child and did his best to treat them like they were royalty. Aháva adored her daddy and they never had to tell her the truth, they knew it would hurt her.

“Fine. You win. Ten minutes” sentenced Samanta.

Both father and daughter made a gesture of victory.

“Of course, honey. Only ten minutes” Amir gave his daughter a look of complicity.

“Thanks, mommy” Aháva blew a kiss to her mom.

When she walked out the room, Sam could not help eavesdropping on them. She loved watching them. Those two touched her soul.

“Mommy is my favorite woman in the whole world. She's so good” commented the little girl as her mother left the room. Sam smiled broadly to such remark.

“Yes, love, She cares about you more than anything in the whole world” he leaned in an kissed the child's forehead. “What do you want to do in our ten minutes, my princess?”

“Tell me a story.”

“Okay. I will tell you the story of the sad prince who met the happy fairy.”

That was the story Amir told her every night, it spoke of how he fell in love with Samanta and how he had to fight the king to have him let them marry and how the prince had to fight a terrifying dragon that threatened with stealing his fairy.

In time, the story got richer fiction, to the point there were giants and purple bunnies, characters that Aháva added to the storyline.

Samanta smiled once again and left to her room to sleep.

As she got ready to sleep, she stopped by the bed side table, where she kept a picture of her wedding day. She held it in her hands and squeezed it against her chest, remembering such a beautiful day.

She wore a beige dress, very puffy embellished with diamonds and topaz, a spectacular head dress covered her whole head and the translucent fabric adorned with citric draped over her shoulders and back. Her hands were covered in floral patterns made with henna, which called for happiness and joy. Amir, on his side, looked stunning with a violet Kandora, accessorized with a beautiful matching Hatta. Everybody present sang in their mother tongue to the beat of a derbake.

Samanta and Amir got married one year after Aháva was born, in a mixed celebration, they included some Arab tradition and come western traditions. Samanta not being a Muslim was frowned upon by many of Amir's relatives, but he did not care at all. Also, he was never the radical type, he opposed some of the Muslim traditions.

Amir paid every expense for Samanta's parents, her sister Teresa and her friend Carlos to come join them for their wedding.

The new Mobarek couple moved in to that mansion, five days after they married and gave their daughter Ahávaa loving home.

Samanta left her sadness aside and devoted herself to loving her husband every day. She loved him and was thankful for meeting him, he reminded her what love is.

All four friends finished their majors with excellent grades and great job offers to work in the best museums and research facilities in the country.

Charlotte became Aháva's godmother, but a few months later, she went back to her country, Poland, to work as a researcher in the department of geology for the University of Warsaw.

Maher met a handsome man who took her travelling the world.

Amir joined the family business along with his father, which made him drift apart from his field of studies.

On the other hand, Samanta graduated with honors, landing a job as activities coordinator in the department of restoration of historical monuments of the University of El Cairo. Additionally, she was about to start her Master's degree in Ancient Civilizations.

Samanta was happy.

She was truly happy with Amir.

She had everything she never even imagined having, a beautiful home in Garden City, servers at her command, a sister in law who adored her and a father in law whom, spite their cultural differences, respected and loved her in his own way.

Before getting into bed to sleep, she went over to the desk in the corner of her bedroom and sat down to check her mail. She would get tons of invitations to many events lately. Having a PhD in Paleontology made her an outstanding woman in the field of Archaeology. Her first book would soon be out and her dream was holding an exhibit at the Egyptian Museum of El Cairo, the place that holds the most important relics in Egyptian history. That was what her book was about, “Relics of Time." Samanta lost track of all the letters she sent, requesting to be granted the permits required. Weeks passed without a response and she was starting to give up, but that night was different.

A letter from the department of research of said museum made Samanta scream as Amir was walking into the room.

“Shhh. You'll wake the girl” he said.

“The museum just replied!” Sam was elated.

“What does the letter say? Show me!” Amir's eyes lit up and he went up to his wife right away.

“Let's see” Sam opened the envelope.

***

Se Abdel Halim

Coordinator of the Department of Research

Egyptian Museum of El Cairo, 11541

El Cairo

Dear Mrs. Samanta Mobarek:

I am pleased to address you, in order to inform you that according to your request, the museum facilities will be available from next week until the middle of next month.

For us it is an honor to be part of the launch of your book. However to formalize the details of the event, you should approach our offices as soon as possible.

Without further ado, I cordially salute you

Yours,

 (Signed) Se Abdel Halim

***

Sam read the letter out loud and by the end of it, she was jumping up and down in excitement. Amir did the same thing while hugging her. They were both celebrating like a couple of teenagers. Sam was over the moon. She could not believe this. One more dream, materializing. Amir held her tight and Samanta kissed him so intensely, she almost took his breath away.

“Wow! I should ask the museum to write more often” Sam hugged him close.

“I love you, I love you, I love you” she kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. “None of this would be possible without you. Thanks, love” she said, looking right into her husband's green eyes, whom had his arms wrapped around her as well.

“Thank you, for making me the happiest man alive. For giving me the best years of my life. All these goals you have achieved, it has been due to your own efforts. This is your achievement.”

“You gave me the love I needed to make it happen. You gave me so many illusions and hopes, so many years of happiness” She kissed him once more, “a family” kiss, “a home” kiss. “You gave me this amazing life we're living” and she kissed him again.

She guided him towards their bed and between short kisses, full of sweetness, Amir fell back onto the bed, drowning his little naughty laugh. Samanta laid on top of him, kissing him non-stop. Amir kept his arms around her waist, squeezed her against his body and they got lost between caresses, whispers and kisses. They loved one another in body and soul.