The Khutun was dead. Those four simple words sent an electrifying spark of hope through Marjan. It had been over seven years since she had seen her beloved home Bagdad, it was during those seven years she had struggled with both happiness and sorrow.

Her happiness was found in her husband Ayaz, they had been married soon after leaving the country. Although he loved her unconditionally no matter if she was crippled or not she still struggled with her feelings. Her fear about failing as a wife. She had been expecting over three years ago, a baby was born, a small boy, a stillborn boy. The loss of her child had devastated both of them, he just didn't know she still cried, she still felt inadequate.

"Maybe," Marjan always thought to herself, " maybe I wouldn't have these feelings if it wasn't for my mother not wanting me, maybe I would be as good as the other wives who don't need help carrying there own baskets at the market, and maybe, the last and worst thought of all, if I lose this baby Ayaz will stop loving me."

She was pregnant again. She was pregnant and terrified of losing another baby, her baby. She didn't know if she could handle it mentally but she knew one thing, she was going home. Home to Bagdad.

"Did you hear the news?" Ayaz yelled running in and sweeping Marjan off her feet.

She tried to roll her eyes but she just loved him so much and a small smile couldn't help but escape from her lips.

"She's dead, she's dead, the Khutun is dead!" Ayaz singed dancing with her around the floor of their home where they lived with Aba and Zaynab.

Marjan looked at him horror on her face, "How could you be happy someone has died?" she said starring at her now confused husband, "we should send up a prayer to the gods right now and pray for the poor Khutun's spirit."

For about a minuet the husband and wife starred at each other , Marjans face showing complete seriousness and Ayaz's of pure confusion. It wasn't until Marjan couldn't take it anymore and bursted out laughing did Ayaz realizing she was kidding. A look of both relief and laughed washed over her, he started laughing too.

"I will never wonder why I married you," he said smiling, "what would I be doing without you?"

"I'm not sure," she replied with a mischievous grin, "probably cleaning up camel poop in some stable somewhere."

He gently kissed her forehead before saying, "You are probably right my dear but we can continue this later when I can think of a good comeback. We had better start packing, Bagdad is a three day journey and a journey we will be taking as soon as possible. It's time to go back home."