-Epilogue: Tomorrow-

Tomorrow had been so long ago or at least, to Aida, that is what it felt like as she allowed herself to be adorned in bracelets and her wedding attire. She thought back to those few short weeks when Ardeth had pulled her in front of the Medjai and announced their intent to marry. She had been a little caught off guard by the surprise but stood firm beside him as the elders talked.

There were a couple of men who deemed her 'unsuitable' at first, but her biggest admirer was Boualem, who had insisted on the wedding and his opinion swayed the others. Though she had a feeling it was more to do with the promise of a big feast than their actual nuptials.

Aida was only a little nervous about the upcoming day, Amina providing a particularly good distraction when she would be taken off on little adventures and come back and recount what she had been doing. So far, she'd been taken riding with her cousins, taught to fish, hunt, sew (which she actually enjoyed), and been writing all her escapades down, intending to send individual letters to the O'Connells and Jonathan.

Whilst they missed them and equally craved to see them again, Amina adjusted very quickly having her father nearby. Aida and Ardeth had extraordinarily little time together because Amina desperately wanted to make up for 'lost time' and she and Ardeth would go off for hours on end and when they returned, were secretive about where they had been. Though, Aida would catch her daughter reading yet ANOTHER new book just before her bedtime.

"It's time."

Aida had turned to the elder Amina and taken her hand. It was indeed time and the butterflies in her stomach would not settle, even when she was taken out of the house and into the wedding tent.

She'd never been to a ceremony like this before, but her future sister-in-law had talked her through everything. How she and Ardeth would be separated by a sheet of fabric and made to speak aloud their vows. How there would be a goblet of wine shared between them. And eventually, the fabric would be taken away, but Aida was made to hide behind a veil until he was in front of her.

And then he slowly lifted the veil, and they were finally announced to be husband and wife. But of course, that wasn't the end of the ceremony. There were many little rituals and traditions to still do that took a couple of hours, but Aida was floating on a cloud of happiness, the butterflies having swirled up from her stomach and into her very being.

The rest of the day and evening went by in a blissful blur, where it was just her, Ardeth, and Amina amongst friends and now, new family.

But there was one last gift waiting for them all.

XxXx

"Are you ready?" Ardeth held her hand out in his, as was the tradition for the husband to lead his wife into their new home.

Aida nodded and walked side by side with him as the house in question came into view. Something that had truly touched Aida was the gift that everyone had contributed to and she had witnessed (and helped) as the house she would live in was built, brick by brick by people she had only just met. She had wept when it was finished, but they were not allowed in until today and she appreciated that. She didn't want the surprise spoiled and it meant more to her to see it completely finished.

Aida was allowed in first and couldn't stop the large smile that spread about her face as she looked around. It wasn't painted, there were only a few chairs and a rug placed on the floor, but it was warm, and it was home. Her home.

"Mama, mama, look!" Amina came charge in, having barged past her father and running about, examining everything with her magnifying glass, "We've got an extra room upstairs!"

"They added another room encase-" Ardeth begun, but his daughter was smarter than she looked.

"For when I have a baby brother or sister, right?"

Aida and Ardeth both looked at one another and she had to turn away, a deep blush spreading over her cheeks at the hungry look in his eyes. It was their wedding day after all.

"Amina," he got down on one knee and drew his child closer with a small gesture of his finger, "do you remember your promise?"

"Yes, I know," she turned to the door, just as her aunt came in, "I get to sleep over with Auntie, and you get to sleep in here with Mama. To kiss and cuddle and-"

"Alright, that's enough," her aunt laughed heartily and gently grabbed her by the shoulders, steering her out, "let us go and play some more games before bed. And then you can read to us some more of this Christie. Tell me, were we still trying to figure out how the killer slipped the poison into a locked room?"

Aida could still hear her child excitedly describing the plot to the story, even when the door closed behind her.

And then, it was just her and Ardeth, alone. In their house. After their wedding…and it was easy to see Ardeth had only one goal in his sights.

"I believe there is one tradition to still do?" He walked over until he was stood in front of her and drew so close, she could feel his hot breath over her skin.

"Oh? And what is that?"

He said nothing else, just wrapped one arm around her and with the quickness that he had been blessed with, dipped down and picked her up around her legs. She let a little laugh and looped her arms around his neck.

"Is it not the tradition for the husband to carry his wife upstairs?"

As he began to walk, Aida was careful not to jog him too much, but he seemed to be strong enough to hold her.

"Technically, it's over the threshold, but since we missed the door, we'll make up for it to the bedroom. Unless I'm too heavy?"

"No. You are perfect," he easily readjusted her, drawing her closer so he could kiss her if he wished, "I would not change a thing."

"Not one thing?"

He walked into their bedroom and shook his head.

"Nothing."

He placed her down on her feet and she had the chance to look around, gasping in surprise.

"They got us a bed!" She looked at the small, simple frame and mattress in the corner, admiring the clean white sheets as well.

Ardeth said nothing but wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his head against the side of her own.

"It was the only gift they insisted on. My sister made a joke and…I won't repeat what she said."

She felt the deep chuckle in his chest and turned around, placing the tip of her nose against his and rubbing gently.

"I can already tell it was good," she finally broke the distance and gave him a kiss, placing her hands flat against his chest. But he pulled back and shook his head.

"First, my love," his hands came to the tie at the sash on her waist and gently tugged, "we must get you out of these garments."

A long while later…

Ardeth and Aida laid together in their bed, naked and side by side, exhausted but far too happy to sleep. They had made love, being as loud as they wanted, knowing that they'd have to keep it down in the future with their daughter in the next room.

"Are you hungry?" She asked Ardeth, just wanting to check if he needed anything before, they settled into sleep (or another round), "Do you want me to get up and get you anything?"

"No. All I have is here," he placed a kiss to the top of her head, "I am content. Are you?"

"Very. I've not been this happy since…well, the first morning we were together," she didn't add 'and the last' that was on the tip of her tongue, because now, that was simply not true.

"I dream and remember that day. And your words," he paused before holding her closer and starting again, "The fountains mingle with the river and the rivers with the ocean."

"The winds of heaven mix forever, with a sweet emotion."

Aida listened to him repeat the words she had so long ago remembered, just to please him, and after a while drifted off into a peaceful, blissful sleep.

And as she began to dream, she returned to her Oasis, that so long ago had held so much trouble for her. But now, when she wandered into the paradise, she saw only her family, playing about in the water and laughing. Ardeth, Amina, and a small boy she did not know, just yet.

But she felt happy and safe at last. In her paradise.