That night as they lay down Ardeth was still thinking about their conversation about John.
As Ali lay down, he pulled her into his arms. Kissing her on the head he said "My love, I was thinking about our conversation last night and I have a question."
Ali turned in his arms to face him "Of course, Ardeth"
"If it is too painful I understand. But what happened to John? I know Basel told me he was killed in accident."
For a moment Ali didn't speak. She closed her eyes and started. "It was an accident at the newspaper that their family owns. There was a worker running the machine that printed the papers. It jammed and he was working on it. Somehow it started to pull him in by his sleeve, crushing his arm. John heard his scream and ran to him. Somehow in freeing him John was pulled in, but…"she stopped for a moment and then continued "somehow it crushed his right side. They finally got him out and brought him to our home, as it's not far for the newspaper."
Ardeth took it all in. "That must have been horrible"
"It was. I knew when they brought him in it was bad. The doctor did what he could but, it wasn't enough. We had two days with him. Even though I knew he was in great pain, he insisted on no medication as he wanted to be conscious so he could spend every minute with us. He talked to all of us, he made sure that the worker that was hurt would be okay and to make sure he would always be taken care of. One of the last things we talked about was us coming here."
For a moment neither spoke then Ardeth said "I know originally he had planned on bringing you."
"Yes, and he knew it was important to me. He made me and Peter both promise that we would still make the trip."
Again, Ali was quiet, but this time Ardeth didn't speak. He just held her.
He thought she might have dozed off when she spoke again.
"May I ask you something?"
"Of course"
"If it's not too much, tell me about Seduh."
Ardeth drew in a deep breath
Ali started to say "If you don't want…" but Ardeth stopped her. "No I will tell you anything you want to know"
"How did you meet?"
"It was about a year after you left. I was still struggling and I'm sure I did not always hide my pain. I know it came off as anger many times. Yes, I know I sent you away, but I was angry that I had to"
Ali nodded and he continued "I lost my cool during a council meeting and stormed out. I was walking back here, not really paying attention where I was going. Seduh came around a corner and we collided. It knocked her off her feet. I felt horribly, so I reached out and helped her and mumbled my apologies. I suppose she saw the pain in my eyes, so she followed me. I was horrible. I know I was, I turned and barked "Girl, what do you want?" She started to cry and ran off. I felt horrible so I went to find her. I apologized, properly that time. And we started to talk."
"Did she know what really happened to our baby?"
Ardeth nodded and added "right about that time I wanted to write you and explain what happened, but that was about the time Basel received your letter saying you were getting married"
Ali started to speak but Ardeth stopped her "No I was glad that you had found someone. But knowing that, well it made what was happening here seem like it was supposed to happen. Like John she knew you would always have my heart. And she accepted that. She said she just wanted to make me as happy as possible."
It didn't hurt Ali to him speak of another woman, but it did hurt her to think he had still loved her as she had loved him.
"She was 7 months along when she passed"
"Oh Ardeth"
"There was a sickness and she had not been well during the pregnancy. Her body just couldn't fight the sickness and carry our baby."
Ali pulled back from him a bit and looked into his eyes. Seeing the pain broke her heart. She snuggled back to him and he held her tight.