Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

180. Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Roshad stayed in the prayer room until Navid fell back to sleep in his arms. He carried Navid upstairs and gently tucked him back into bed. He was about to return to his and Jaedynn's room but when he reached the door, he couldn't go in. He didn't have the strength to face Jaedynn right now. So he went back downstairs to the prayer room not sure what else to do except pray. When dawn broke, he went back upstairs to the kitchen and started making breakfast for the kids and some tea. It was ready and on the table by the time Jaedynn came downstairs with the kids. Iman and Kamron were in their uniforms, the other children were in their pajamas and when they were downstairs they all ran right to him.

"Good morning, baba!" they all said and hugged him.

"Morning," Roshad answered with a smile and kneeled down to hug them all. "Kamron, Iman, start eating your breakfast. Remember you have school today and when it's time to leave, we leave."

"Okay," Kamron and Iman said and went to the table to start eating.

Jaedynn was already at the table and as Roshad was guiding the other children to the table, Ashti and Rashida let themselves into the house. Roshad cleaned everything with Rashida's assistance while Ashti and Jaedynn made sure the kids were fed. When it was time to go, Iman and Kamron begged Roshad take them to school. He was happy to comply and the other children followed Roshad out to the car and didn't return inside until Roshad promised he'd be home in an hour at most. Jaedynn and Ashti also had to heard the kids back inside but when they had Roshad's promise he'd be home soon, it was easier to get them to go back in. The kids went to the living room to start playing with Ashti and Rashida pulled Jaedynn aside so they were in the kitchen.

"Is everything alright?" she asked once they were alone. "Between you and Roshad I mean."

"No," Jaedynn said bluntly in a low, sad tone.

"So what happened after we left?" Rashida asked when Jaedynn didn't continue for several seconds.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Jaedynn said. "I've told him whatever's going on stays between us and the kids aren't to be involved in any capacity."

"So while the kids are around, everything's normal is what you're saying," Rashida said.

"I wouldn't say 'normal' but I guess that's one way to word it," Jaedynn shrugged in the same quiet and disheartened tone.

"Jaedynn," Rashida said in a gentle, soothing voice, "I know you're angry and you have every reason to be. But staying angry at Roshad while pretending there's nothing going on isn't healthy; for you or for your children. Whether you want it to or not, what's going on is going to affect their lives no matter how you try to hide this from them. They're not stupid. If maman and baba are fighting, they'll know just by the way you two are interacting with one another. Just because they haven't watched you have an explosive argument doesn't mean they haven't seen you fight."

"So you think I should just forgive, forget and get over it?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Rashida said. "What I am saying is I think for your sake and for your children's sake you need to be willing to work things out. Tell me truly: is there anything Roshad could do to make any of this right?"

"I want the past year to have never happened," Jaedynn answered sincerely.

"Well, since that's not possible, what can he do that's within his power?" Jaedynn was quiet for a while. "Jaedynn?"

"I don't know," Jaedynn said. "I'm not ready to forgive him Rashida. I don't know what to tell you."

"Well," Rashida started with the same gentle voice after taking a deep breath, "I think it would be worth it for you to make yourself ready. He's home now; the worrying and not knowing where he is or if he's alright is over."

Jaedynn only shrugged her shoulders limply then walked away to the living room to be with the kids. Just as he'd promised, Roshad returned home within an hour and the kids ran to the front door to welcome him home while Jaedynn stayed in the living room. With him home, Navid pulled on Roshad's pant leg begging him to play with them and he sat down in the living room floor with all the kids. Jaedynn sat back and watched as Roshad played with their kids but there wasn't the same joy it would normally hold. Their kids were clinging to Roshad as though they were scared he'd up and leave again. It angered Jaedynn more to watch the results of Roshad's selfishness play out. However, she said nothing. She just left Roshad alone to spend time with their children.

Meanwhile, Roshad could feel Jaedynn's gaze on him, but he could also feel how cold that gaze was. He focused on playing with the blocks helping the children spell words in Farsi and in English but the whole time he was ill at ease. Hours later when it was time to go pick up Kamron and Iman from school, Roshad went to pick them up and this time, Navid, Leo, Don, Mikie, Sherry and Maleek begged him to take them with. He agreed and got all the kids in Jaedynn's large van so they could all go pick up Kamron and Iman. It was another several hours before family started flooding into the house starting with Ivory who came straight to the house right after work. Ivory welcomed Roshad home, but her welcome was extremely passive and cold. It was the case for just about everyone that came to the house. If anything, it seemed like they were coming over for the sake of making sure he'd actually come home. Then Nathan arrived with Ada María, Jaedynn's brothers, Emma Leigh and Nadeshka. Nathan said nothing. His stare was harsh and he grabbed a hold of Roshad dragging him outside to the backyard as far away from the house as possible until they were right beside the lake.

"Alright," Nathan said once they were outside, "Now that we're alone, what in the fuck is wrong with you! What the hell have you been doing the past fucking year?"

"I was offering assistance to people that wished to flee Iran," Roshad answered honestly and quietly. It was clear by the look on Nathan's face he was not the least bit impressed or moved by the answer. "I'm sorry," Roshad said. "After the accident, I was so angry over what happened I felt like I needed to do something to get back at those responsible."

"So you put my daughter on a plane not knowing when the fuck you were coming back to get revenge? Is that what you're fucking telling me?"

"In the simplest terms, yes Nathan, that's what I'm telling you," Roshad answered in the same tone as before. Nathan took his eyes off Roshad staring forward out on the lake with his arms crossed willing himself not to get physical, but it took all the will power he hand. Roshad kept his mouth shut allowing Nathan space to think.

"You dumped my daughter on a plane alone after she suffered a miscarriage," Nathan finally said. Roshad didn't bother reminding Nathan Rashida was with Jaedynn the whole time. Nathan's point was Roshad wasn't with her and there in laid the problem. Then Nathan looked at Roshad again, "and then you leave her and my grandkids alone for over a fucking year not knowing where the fuck you've been or when you were coming home and all over revenge. Give me one good reason I shouldn't beat your ass so hard your father feels it."

"I don't have one for you Nathan, so if you feel the need to get physically aggressive with me, I suggest you do it now and be done with it," Roshad finally answered this time with more forcefulness in his voice. After a brief silence, Roshad's eyes looked down and his voice became sorrowful. "I've already felt Jaedynn's rage. Nothing you say or do will compare."

"Good," Nathan said a bit awkwardly, not really expecting the retort Roshad had given him, "you deserve a good ass whooping." Roshad didn't answer and the prolonged silence was uncomfortable. Nathan's fury began to weaken just a little the longer the silence went on before he groaned while rubbing his face with his right hand a moment before returning to his arms being crossed. "Look," Nathan finally continued, "What's done is done. If Jaedynn can forgive you I guess the rest of us can eventually."

"Jaedynn hasn't forgiven me," Roshad said and now Nathan looked surprised, but that surprise faded rather quickly. "I said I was sorry. I don't know what else I can say. She said it wasn't enough."

"I see," Nathan said. He looked at Roshad and while the man wasn't crying, there was a sadness and pain in his expression that was unmistakable.

"I asked her if she wanted me to leave," Roshad admitted. "I didn't know what else to say. She told me no and we were to keep things normal in front of the kids. Otherwise she wants nothing to do with me."

"I promise you it's not that she wants nothing to do with you. She probably wants space," Nathan said. Roshad remembered the night before and felt the sting of it all over again. He didn't ask his question at first but after a prolonged silence, the question festered.

"How long?" Roshad asked.

"As long as she needs," Nathan said. Another prolonged silence passed between them until Roshad finally worked up the courage to ask his next question.

"What else can I do?" Roshad asked.

"I don't know, Roshad," Nathan answered bluntly. "I'm afraid you're on your own this time."

With that said, Nathan returned inside while Roshad stayed by the lake lost in thought. Meanwhile inside, most of the family was in the living room with the kids while Scarlet, Ivory, Ariel, Gabriel and Ada María were sitting together at the dining table.

"How are you feeling now that Roshad's home?" Ivory asked.

"I'm relieved he's home," Jaedynn answered sincerely but there was a sad tone to her voice. "The kids are overjoyed. They won't let him go anywhere unless he swears he's coming back."

"That's…." Gabriel started but he trailed off trying to think of the word before finally saying, "Really sad."

"I know it is," Jaedynn said and although Emma Leigh swatted Gabriel's arm, she couldn't deny she whole heartedly agreed. Her gaze instinctively went to Adalita who was playing with Kamron and the others at the moment. Then she looked at Jaedynn again and they all saw the distant look in her eyes as she stared at the table.

"Is everything alright?" Ariel finally asked when the awkwardness was becoming unbearable. Jaedynn's answer made everything more awkward. All she did was gently shake her head.

Family remained at the house for hours but eventually left around sundown although Nathan, Ada María and Jaedynn's siblings all stayed well into the night even after Roshad had tucked all the kids into bed. When Roshad came back downstairs, he glanced at the dining area and wanted to sit at the table, but when he saw Jaedynn's face when she noticed him approach, it made him stop. So instead, he returned upstairs to their bedroom so he could prepare for bed. Jaedynn showed everyone out including Ashti and Rashida and then made her way upstairs. When she came in the room, Roshad was still in the shower. She went to the vanity to brush her teeth and wash her face in the meantime. Once she was finished, she went straight to bed leaving the lights on and keeping her back in the direction of the bathroom. When Roshad stepped out, he saw Jaedynn in bed with her back to him and it cut deep. All the same, he remembered what Nathan said about giving Jaedynn space and with that goal in mind, Roshad swallowed his own feelings and said nothing as he turned off the lights then got into bed. However, after several seconds of silence, he couldn't stand saying nothing to her.

Roshad turned his head on his pillow so he was looking at Jaedynn and said in a quiet voice, "I love you."

He feared she wouldn't answer, but she answered in the same quiet voice, "I love you too."

After that was more silence. Jaedynn didn't come near him and because it was clear she didn't want him, Roshad didn't go near her either. He wanted to so badly though. Regardless, he resisted. The next two days played out the same way: Roshad took Kamron and Iman to school, he picked them up from school, he spent his time with the children during the day and he and Jaedynn had little to no interaction. The only time they spoke over those two days was if they absolutely had to or to tell one another I love you when they were in bed at night, but Roshad was the first to say it both times. On the third day Roshad was home, the phone rang and Roshad quickly answered.

"Hello?" Roshad answered.

"Good, you've made it home," Bastet said on the other end.

"Yes," Roshad said, "I returned two days ago. Where are you?"

"Astara," Bastet said, referring to a small coastal village in Azerbaijan near the border of Iran. "We'll need to come up with a different option, though. Especially if we're going to ensure we can stay in contact."

"We'll figure it out," Roshad said. "What happened after I left?"

"The police searched the palace looking for you. I told them you never came home and I didn't know where you were. After checking the palace and the airport in Tehran, they expanded the search but I haven't heard anything new."

"Has this affected the plant?"

"No," Bastet said, "everything's running as it should and aside from those you helped flee we haven't lost any employees."

"Good," Roshad said with a relieved sigh.

"Was everyone happy to see you home?" Bastet asked.

"The kids were," Roshad said and then glanced over his shoulder at Jaedynn sitting out on the porch with some coffee while the kids were playing in the backyard. "Jaedynn's…she's happy I'm home but she's angry."

"I suspected she would be," Bastet said knowingly. "Is Rashida there?"

"Yes," Roshad said and Rashida was already by Roshad's side asking for the phone. Once she had it to her ear, she and Bastet spoke in their ancient native language so as to well and truly speak privately. Roshad stayed back so they could talk and they stayed on the phone together for over an hour before Rashida finally gave the phone back to Roshad.

"Rashida said she will remain in Washington with all of you," Bastet said and that took Roshad by surprise.

"Are you sure?"

"We're sure," Bastet said and then continued with a smile in his voice, "She wants to make sure you're all alright."

"I appreciate that," Roshad said. "Right now, I could use all the support I can get."

"It'll get easier, Roshad," Bastet said.

"I hope so," Roshad said sorrowfully. "I don't know what else to do except apologize."

"That's all you can really do," Bastet said. "Give her time. Don't force anything. Jaedynn loves you. She will forgive you with time."

"I hope you're right," Roshad mumbled as the thought she may never forgive him broke his heart. "What happens if she never forgives me?"

"Don't think like that, Roshad," Bastet said. "Everything will be alright. I promise." Roshad nodded his head weakly and rubbed his eyes a little. After a moment of silence, Bastet said, "I'll send you a large supply of saffron, alright? I'll ship it as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Bastet," Roshad said. "I will talk to you again soon?"

"Yes, we'll talk again soon," Bastet said and the two of them ended their call.

Under the circumstances, it was the best Roshad could hope for. A lot happened over the course of the year as it turned out. Salem and Yvonne's son had been born earlier that year and about the same time, Nesia had found out she was pregnant. The news had been a big surprise but Nesia was certain she conceived when they'd been in Vancouver for a Boxing tournament. Ahiga won in his Middle Weight category, earned a belt and the $8000 prize and when he and Nesia had returned to their hotel room, they'd had a private celebration. Before Nesia knew it, she'd felt like she had the flu and she had missed two periods. The baby was due in December.

Roshad only found out about it when Jaedynn was getting dressed to leave and when he asked where she was going she told him she was going to Nesia's baby shower. Jaedynn had planned to go alone with the kids but they all insisted they wanted Roshad to come with and even started throwing a fit when Jaedynn tried to say no. Roshad tried to refuse since Jaedynn was so adamant, but the kids weren't having it. So Jaedynn finally relented and Roshad drove Jaedynn's car with her in the back few seats with the kids and Ashti sitting up front with him. He was silent the entire drive unless directly addressed and it was an extremely uncomfortable two hour drive for him and for Jaedynn. Once they made it to the Cullen house, Ashti helped heard the kids out of the car along with Jaedynn and Roshad waited until everyone was out of the car before exiting with them.

When they got inside, Jaedynn went right to Nesia giving her a hug and telling her how beautiful she looked. Nesia welcomed Roshad once she saw him but by then Jaedynn wandered away to talk to Ivory. She wouldn't say it out loud seeing as Nesia would hear her and this was supposed to be about her and the new baby, but Jaedynn felt a cruel jealousy when she looked at Nesia. She was smiling sweetly at everyone while she rubbed her swollen belly. She sat down so Saraya could feel when she wanted and Nesia's smile brightened when Saraya felt the baby kick and got super excited. Then Jaedynn's eyes wandered to Yvonne holding Jae in her arms as the baby slept soundly. The thought crossed her mind that Nasir would have been about that age now. She should have been able to come to Nesia's baby shower with Nasir in tow as family swooned and praised what a cute baby he was just as they'd done for all the others. The kids were all outside playing and Roshad had followed the children outside to keep watch. Iman grabbed Roshad's hand and begged him to push her on the swing.

"I'm glad to see Roshad came," Ivory asked once she and Jaedynn were alone.

"The kids insisted they wanted him to come," Jaedynn said in a muted tone. "I didn't really want to bring him if I'm honest."

"So things are still really strained?" Ivory asked.

Jaedynn nodded weakly, "We sleep in the same bed for the sake of keeping things normal. Otherwise we barely speak."

"Sounds really awkward," Ivory said.

"Believe me, it is," Jaedynn said. "He tells me 'I love you' every night and I say I love him too and that's all the more interaction we really have."

"That's good at least," Ivory said and gently rubbed Jaedynn's back. "That's a good sign: even now, you can still say I love you."

"What else am I going to say when he tells me 'I love you'?" Jaedynn said. That grabbed Ivory's attention and she stared at Jaedynn for a moment with surprise and not sure how to respond. She was almost scared to even ask. It seemed impossible. Ivory stared in Roshad's direction seeing him focused on Iman and pushing her on the swing. He was smiling, but his gaze was distant and the sorrow was clear.

In Quileute, Ivory asked, "Are you saying you don't love him anymore?" Ivory expected Jaedynn to adamantly reject the statement as ridiculous. Ivory understood Jaedynn was pissed. She had every reason to be, but even so, he was her imprint. Ivory didn't think it was possible. Yet Jaedynn stayed quiet and stared at her hands as her eyes started to burn with tears she was holding back.

"I don't know how I feel," Jaedynn answered in English. She glanced up so she was looking out the door at Roshad with their children. It wasn't giving her the same warm, eager feeling it used to. Right now when she watched Roshad with their children, she felt a numbness she didn't know how to explain.

"That might be worse," Ivory mumbled. "Maybe it's time the two of you sat down and talked if that's how you're feeling."

"Eventually," Jaedynn eventually said but after she'd said that, she retreated further into the house to the living room area.

Roshad overheard Ivory and Jaedynn talking and what he'd been able to hear made his heart sink. For a moment he'd stopped pushing Iman but she yelled for him the moment she started slowing down and Roshad returned to pushing her. His mind wasn't in it, though. All he could think about was what Jaedynn had said. After Nesia's baby shower, the drive back home was unbearably awkward for Roshad. Jaedynn was sitting in the back with the kids while Ashti was up front. When they made it back home, it was raining outside so the children had to stay inside and play. When it was finally time to put the children to bed, Jaedynn made sure everyone got a bath and Roshad got them all tucked in making sure to act like there was nothing wrong.

Roshad showed Ashti and Rashida out saying he'd see them in the morning before walking upstairs. When he made it into their bedroom, Jaedynn was already brushing her teeth. He followed what had become their routine: they did not speak as they got ready for bed. Roshad went into the bathroom to take a shower and he took a long time so Jaedynn would be in bed by the time he got out. This time, he stayed in the shower until the water ran cold thinking about that afternoon. When he finally got out, he took his time drying off then left the bathroom going to their closet to get his pajama pants. Jaedynn had already turned off the lights so once dressed, he wandered to the bed in the dark with the moonlight peaking through the separation of the curtains on the window.

Roshad got into bed with Jaedynn's back to him. He almost said I love you but he stopped himself. The instant he exercised restraint however, his heart sank all the more. He was staring at the ceiling of their bedroom unable to fall asleep. He could tell Jaedynn hadn't fallen asleep either. He glanced at her wondering what he should do until he sat up in bed. It took him a moment to work up the courage to speak but when he did, his voice was calm and soothing.

"Can we talk?" Roshad said. Jaedynn tilted her head to look over her shoulder at Roshad but she didn't speak. Not wanting to turn on the lights but wanting to be able to see her, Roshad reached over the short headboard of their bed and pulled the curtains aside to let in the moonlight. Jaedynn sat up as he did that and once the room had some light, Roshad broke the silence again. "I know I've hurt you," he said, "but we can't keep doing this. We can't keep up this silent treatment."

"What do you want me to say?" Jaedynn asked it a quiet voice.

"Anything," Roshad answered. "Say anything, but please; I can't keep doing this. We can't keep doing this."

"I've already said what I had to," Jaedynn said.

"I know, and I'm sorry," Roshad said. "I don't know what else I can say except that I'm sorry. What can I do? I'm begging you, Jaedynn, just tell me what I can do to make this right?" A long, uncomfortable silence passed between them after Roshad made his plea.

"I don't know," Jaedynn finally answered sincerely. Roshad's mind began to dwell yet again on what she'd said.

"Jaedynn," Roshad said and then paused a moment trying to work up the courage to ask her, "do you not love me anymore?" It was so hard to get the words out but he needed to say them. What hurt more is Jaedynn didn't immediately respond but when Roshad looked at her, he saw the tears forming in her eyes.

"You put your anger before me," Jaedynn finally said. "You don't realize how much that hurt."

"Jaedynn," Roshad said and came closer but didn't touch her, "I never meant to hurt you. I swear I never meant to hurt you. I was angry about what happened and I put that before you and I know I was wrong."

"I know you know, Roshad," Jaedynn said and then laid back down.

Roshad stared at her as she went back down with her back to him. He was at a loss. He didn't know what to do or say. It didn't seem to matter what he did or said and he felt so powerless. Almost as powerless as he had the day of the accident. He couldn't take it anymore. So he grabbed his pillow, went to the closet to grab a spare blanket and left their bedroom retreating to the prayer room. He set up a spot to sleep but it didn't do him any good.

He was up by dawn folding the blanket and pillow and hiding it to one side so the children wouldn't see it or realize what it was there for then went up to the kitchen to make the children breakfast before Kamron and Iman had to go to school. Bastet was able to call again that week and a few days after that, the saffron Bastet promised finally came in. It was an enormous box holding four more boxes each filled with at least 1000 grams of saffron threads. The boxes were encased in glass that was protected with a Styrofoam box surrounding it as well as bubble wrap all of which was secured in a giant cardboard box covered in stamps from Iran, Egypt and New York. He brought the containers into the pantry keeping one box it high off the ground and secure somewhere so it would be safe while the other three boxes went downstairs in the prayer room also kept high for safe keeping.

Several more days went by with Roshad sleeping in the prayer room waiting until the children were in bed before going downstairs and always making sure he was upstairs before everyone was awake. Now he and Jaedynn were speaking less than ever. Desperate to get out of the house, Roshad left to go grocery shopping on Friday after dropping Iman and Kamron off at school. He'd warned the kids he'd be gone a little longer and they'd all thrown a fit until Ashti intervened. He used to feel comforted by his children's eagerness but now he was starting to realize it wasn't eagerness: they were scared he'd disappear again. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks and his spirits dwindled all the more for it.

He'd wandered through the store trying to focus but he found himself in the aisle with all the coffee and tea staring at a wall of several different brands of breakfast roast and earl grey. After standing in the aisle for several minutes staring at everything like a madman, he heard someone mumbling. He realized it was Farsi and his gaze went right to a woman. She had a toddler in her cart and she was holding a Farsi to English dictionary visibly frustrated and appearing as though she were on the verge of tears trying to find what she was looking for. She had dark brown hair and tan skin wearing jeans and a short sleeved shirt with her hair in a ponytail at the base of her neck. Roshad approached the woman and she looked up when she saw him.

"Is there anything I can help you find, miss?" Roshad asked her in Farsi and when she heard him speaking her language, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I hope so," she answered and rubbed her eye. "I've been in the store for over an hour trying to find everything but this stupid translator isn't helping."

"I never had much luck with those either," Roshad said with a reassuring smile. "What's on your list? I'll show you where everything is."

"Oh, thank you, sir," she said. "Right now I'm trying to find black tea." Roshad looked at the rows of teas until he found a few different brands.

"There is an option for caffeinated and un-caffeinated. Do you have a preference?"

"Caffeinated, please," she said and Roshad grabbed the box of tea going for the brand that was good but also relatively inexpensive then handed it to her.

"I admit I far prefer the tea from home, but this is a good substitute in a pinch," Roshad said.

"Thank you," she said. "What part of Iran are you from?"

"Tehran," Roshad said. "You?"

"Same," the young woman said. "Did you just move here too?"

"No, I moved to America in 1972," Roshad said. "My wife and I met in New York and…" Roshad trailed off for a moment but eventually said, "we moved here right before our first son was born."

"My family and I finally made it here after being in Germany for several months," she said. "Some of my husband's relatives are still in Germany, but he wanted to move to America. I've been trying to learn English since he told me but I'm not having much luck. Not that I was having much luck learning German either."

"It'll get easier," Roshad promised. "So what's next on your list?"

"I need milk but there were so many different options and I couldn't tell what was what," she said.

"We'll do that next, then," Roshad said and walked with her to the dairy section.

She wanted goat's milk but it wasn't available so Roshad recommended whole cow's milk and adding a tiny bit of lemon to her tea before adding the milk to simulate that tanginess. The little boy started to become fussy so she took the baby outside while Roshad watched her cart and her purse and stayed there until she finally returned with her now calmed down son. He continued helping her through the store locating different aisles and helping her keep within the very small budget she had at her disposal as well as helping her memorize the English numeral system. All the while, they talked pleasantly. He found out her name was Diyanna Lamsa, her husband's name was Abdul, her son's name was Yusef and he was two and a half years old.

"How many children do you have?" Diyanna asked as she was taking two cartons of eggs from their spot in the fridge section.

"Five sons and two daughters," Roshad answered. "My eldest son started first grade this year and my eldest daughter started Kindergarten."

"That's wonderful," Diyanna said. "I'm so scared for Yusef to start school in a few years."

"It's normal to worry," Roshad said, "but he's young; he'll pick up English easily."

"I hope so," Diyanna said and rubbed Yusef's head then trailed her finger back and forth over his cheek. Yusef was very inquisitive and any time there was something of interest occurring in the store, he would turn his head to pay attention.

"He reminds me of Maleek," Roshad said with a distant smile. "That's my youngest son's name."

"I adore that name," Diyanna said. "We almost named him that, but my mother-in-law overruled us. She insisted we needed to name our first son after my father-in-law."

"Yes, my maman must approve all potential names too," Roshad chuckled.

"Sounds like my maman and mother-in-law," Diyanna said with a light giggle and then looked at her list. "My husband said he really wanted gaz, but I assume they don't have it here?"

"No, but we can find something similar," Roshad said and led Diyanna to the section with all the sweets looking for Italian nugget. Sure, it wasn't quite the same, but it was close. He found one with pistachios and presented that to her. "I'd say this is a good substitute."

"Thank you," Diyanna said with a light smile. "I really appreciate all this, Mr. Javadi. You've been a life saver."

"Please, just call me Roshad," Roshad said pleasantly, "And if you're up for candy making, I have a recipe for gaz I can give you."

"If Abdul doesn't like these, I'll take you up on that," Diyanna said and then glanced at her list. When she did, her face fell a little. "I didn't expect to find saffron but….I guess we don't need it."

"If you want, I have plenty," Roshad said. "Just let me know how much you want and it's yours."

"You have some? Where did you buy it from?"

"It's imported," Roshad answered. "I own a spice company and saffron fields so my business partner shipped some to me. So trust me, I have plenty to go around. Just let me know if you want some."

"How much would you be able to sell it for? Even if all I can get is 1 gram, I'll make that last."

"Allow me to give you 10 grams at least," Roshad insisted, "and don't worry about paying me. Consider it a welcoming present."

"Roshad, I can't possibly force you to give me saffron for free. That's unreasonable," Diyanna said.

"You're not forcing me, Diyanna; I'm offering," Roshad replied. "I'll tell you what: your first ten grams are free. After that, let's agree to," Roshad paused a moment trying to come up with a price she could realistically handle, "ten cents a gram."

"Roshad, you can't be serious; I'd be robbing you blind! At least let me give you $1 per gram," Diyanna pressed.

"Don't be silly, it's not robbing me blind. Although if you must insist, I can go up to 20 cents per ounce," Roshad said.

"That can't possibly be enough to recoup the cost," Diyanna said. "What about 75 cents a gram? I may be able to afford 3 grams every other month."

"Alright, I will agree to 50 cents per gram but that is my final offer," Roshad said and this time, Diyanna started giggling and finally nodded.

"50 cents sounds fair," she said. "When would be a good time for me to come pick up the saffron?"

"Whenever you want," Roshad said and took the list she'd been using and wrote down his address and how to get there from the grocery store. "Remember, your first 10 grams are free."

"At least let me pay for half of it," she said.

"Nope," Roshad said, "first ten grams are on me. After that, you can have as much as you want for 50 cents per gram."

"Thank you, Roshad. You truly are a saint," Diyanna said.

"Believe me, I'm no saint," Roshad said solemnly, "only someone who knows what it's like to feel really lost."

The two of them walked through the grocery store for another two aisles to finish shopping then Roshad helped her at the register then helped her load the groceries she'd bought into the trunk of the old used car she had. Roshad assured Diyanna she was welcome to come to his home today for the saffron and she agreed she'd be there in about an hour. When Roshad returned home, he brought in the groceries with all the kids trying to help bring everything in and Jaedynn started putting things away. Jaedynn was quiet and Roshad interacted with the kids listening to Navid, Sherry, Leo, Don and Mikie seem to talk in unison about their mornings while he was out of the house. Each story was unique despite them all having much the same morning. As they were talking and he listened, Roshad removed the enormous box of saffron from the top shelf bringing it to the counter.

He took out a coin from his pocket and turned it into a glass container that would hold 10 grams of saffron then filled it with the bright red threads. He created a glass lid and tied it closed with kitchen twine so nothing would fall out. He started soaking some rice for dinner that night and while he was doing that, their doorbell went off.

"I'll get it," Roshad said and went to the front door with the saffron. When he opened the door, Diyanna was there with Yusef in her arms and a man standing beside her. His black hair was thick and he was cleanly shaved but the man looked extremely tired with dark circles under his eyes. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Lamsa," Roshad said in Farsi, making sure to be respectful. "I assume you are Mr. Lamsa?"

"Yes, and you are Mr. Javadi?" Abdul asked and Roshad nodded his head. "My wife said you were offering saffron?"

"Yes, I am," Roshad said and offered the glass container. "Will this be enough or would you like more?"

"You're already being more than generous," Abdul said and pulled out his wallet.

"That won't be necessary; this is free of charge," Roshad said.

"Please," Abdul said as he pulled out two single dollar bills, "it's not much but I can't in good conscience give you nothing." With a kind smile, Roshad accepted the two dollars from Abdul, folded one of the singles, tucked that under the twine securing the glass container and then handed it to Abdul.

"Your saffron and your change, Mr. Lamsa," Roshad said. Abdul looked rather guilty as he timidly accepted the saffron and the dollar. "If you ever need any more, you're welcome to come back. Like we discussed, Mrs. Lamsa, after this, the price is 50 cents per gram just like we agreed."

"Thank you, Mr. Javadi," Diyanna said. Abdul still looked extremely uncomfortable with accepting Roshad's gift. Pride, Roshad thought. This was a man that wanted so badly to give his family better and right now the odds must feel like they're stacked against him.

"I'm making Ghormeh Sabzi tonight," Roshad said. "I've got the rice soaking and it's even the rice we have in Iran. It should be ready by 6:30. Could I invite you to dinner? You're welcome to bring your whole family. Or is it just you?"

"My parents are here with us," Diyanna answered, "but I wouldn't want to impose on you."

"It's no imposition," Roshad said. "I haven't had guests for a long time. Nothing would please me more than to have you over for dinner."

"That's very kind of you," Abdul said, about to refuse, but he glanced at Diyanna and her eyes were pleading. "There would be five of us coming for dinner. Would that be alright?"

"Yes, of course," Roshad said. Roshad's kids all came to the door wondering who was there. "My eldest are at school, but this is Navid," Roshad patted Navid's head, "this is Scheherazade – we call her Sherry. This is Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and finally my youngest, Maleek. Children, this is Mr. Abdul Lamsa, his wife Diyanna and their son Yusef. Say hello."

"Hello," the all answered in Farsi. Diyanna smiled pleasantly at them.

"Hello," she said and bounced Yusef on her hip. "Yusef, say hello." He didn't and instead tucked his head into her shoulder.

"I apologize; he's a little shy with strangers," Abdul said.

"It's no trouble," Roshad smiled kindly. "I look forward to seeing you again at dinner."

"Thank you again, Mr. Javadi," Abdul said.

"Please, just Roshad," he replied.

"Thank you Roshad," Abdul answered and they all bowed to one another before Abdul and Diyanna walked away as Roshad closed the door.

"Who are Mr. and Mrs. Lamsa?" Ashti asked in English so Jaedynn would understand.

"They're a couple that's just moved to the US from Iran," Roshad said. "I met Mrs. Lamsa in the grocery store and she was having a hard time with the English translator she had so I helped her get everything she needed. I told her I had a large supply of saffron so she and her husband came to collect it. I've invited them to have dinner with us tonight."

"When did they move here?" Ashti asked.

"I didn't ask – I know it was recent. They were in Germany for a few months before that. We can ask them during dinner," Roshad said.

"Well, that was very kind of you," Ashti said. "In that case, you had better prepare more rice."

Roshad returned to the kitchen to clean more rice then add it to the hot water his previous batch was already soaking in. He checked to make sure they had enough of everything and from there he went all out. It was so nice to finally feel excitement over something again and he ended up making several side dishes to go with their dinner. He even made some gaz from scratch using pistachios and orange blossom water to flavor the candy. Seeing as Roshad was having people over, Jaedynn went to the phone in hers and Roshad's bedroom to call Ivory and see if she wanted to come over for dinner. She was still at work so Jaedynn had to leave a message but she hoped her and Anatoli could come. She had a sneaking suspicion if they didn't, she'd be completely left out.

She eventually returned downstairs and she went to pick up Kamron and Iman from school with Ashti. Kamron and Iman seemed disappointed that she was picking them up instead of Roshad which annoyed Jaedynn to no end. It annoyed her and it hurt her feelings but she said nothing and instead got the kids in the car to go home. Kamron and Iman rushed over to Roshad once they were home to tell him all about their day and to enquire what he was making for dinner. He let them know they would be having guests for dinner and to make sure they were dressed for company. An hour before the Lamsas were due to arrive, Ashti and Rashida made sure the children were dressed appropriately. The Lamsas did not arrive right on time. Instead, it was about 35 minutes later but Roshad didn't expect any less. If anything, he needed the extra time to make sure everything was set up and on the table. When the doorbell rang, Roshad went to the door and saw Abdul and Diyanna with Yusef in her arms and an older man and woman with them. They were all dressed really casually and the older woman a long sleeve shirt and skirt but no hijab.

"Good evening," Roshad said to them in Farsi and stepped aside so they could come it. They replied in kind as they stepped into the house and removed their shoes without being asked. A refreshing change of pace. "I know Mr. and Mrs. Lamsa of course. You must be Mrs. Lamsa's parents."

"Yes, I'm Kareem Mirza and this is my wife Eliza," Kareem said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Roshad replied pleasantly.

Children," Roshad called and they all rushed to the front door, "you've met my younger children, but please allow me to introduce my eldest. This is my son Kamron and my daughter Iman. "

"It's good to meet you," Eliza said and bowed her head. "I heard you helped my daughter when a translator brought her to tears," she said, poking fun at Diyanna.

"I can't fault her. Those things are useless," Roshad said. "Nothing can replace a proper instructor and integration into the language. Take it from a man who's first visit to New York was a an unmitigated disaster." He looked over his shoulder into the house and called out for the kids to come over. Ashti and Rashida also came to the door while Jaedynn stayed in the house. "Kamron, Iman, this is Mr. Abdul Lamsa and his wife Diyanna and this is their son Yusef. Kids, this is Mrs. Lamsa's baba and maman, Mr. Kareem Mirza and Mrs. Eliza Mirza. Mr. and Mrs. Mirza, these are my children Kamron, Iman, Navid, Sherry, Don, Mikie, Leo and my youngest Maleek."

"Hello," all the children said and even bowed politely.

"It's very nice to meet you," Kareem said and bowed back to the kids.

"Please, come in," Roshad said, "You must be starving. I've prepared plenty of food."

"You have dried limes?" Eliza enquired, the smell of Ghormeh Sabzi filling the house and making everyone feel at home.

"Yes, from my own garden in Tehran no less," Roshad said.

"Oh, thank God," Eliza said. "I've made it with fresh limes and it's just not the same."

"It was still good, maman," Diyanna said. "I don't suppose you have an extra high chair do you?"

"Yes, of course," Roshad said and excused himself to retreat upstairs to their attic so he could retrieve one of the spare high chairs. Once back downstairs, he set that up where Diyanna asked and she put Yusef down taking a seat right beside him. As he was doing that, the doorbell rang again.

"I'll get it," Jaedynn said and went to the front door. Ivory and Anatoli were both there. "Thanks for coming. I know it was really short notice."

"It's never short notice," Ivory said and stepped in to give Jaedynn a hug. Then she presented her large bag in which there were two bottles of wine. "I made sure I came prepared."

"I'm sure white would pair nicely with dinner," Jaedynn said.

"Ghormeh Sabzi right?" Anatoli said after breathing in the air.

"Yes, and there's plenty of that and more," Jaedynn said. Ivory and Anatoli removed their shoes and followed Jaedynn into the house to the dining room.

"I'm so sorry, we haven't been introduced," Diyanna said to Jaedynn in Farsi and stood but Jaedynn stared at her blankly.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Farsi," Jaedynn said.

"Oh," Diyanna said and tried to think of a response but all she could come up with was, "I apologize."

"Don't apologize," Jaedynn smiled politely, "honest mistake. My name is Jaedynn."

"Jaedynn?" Diyanna asked and accepted Jaedynn's hand to shake it. "You are…uh," she tried to think, "I am sorry; my English is not good."

"It's alright. Even if we aren't able to talk, it's a pleasure to have you over and I hope you enjoy dinner," Jaedynn said and released Diyanna's hand so she could direct Anatoli and Ivory where they could sit.

"Diyanna," Roshad said in Farsi, "This is my wife Jaedynn. She was saying even if you won't be able to talk, it's a pleasure to have you here and she hopes you enjoy dinner. That's my sister-in-law Ivory and Ivory's husband, Anatoli."

"It's good to meet you," Diyanna and the others said in their best English and Ivory and Anatoli nodded.

"I brought wine for everyone," Ivory said. "At least, I brought some for me and for Jaedynn."

"Mr. Javadi," Eliza said in Farsi, "would you be offended if we drank?"

"Not at all – please feel free," Roshad said. He could feel Ashti's disapproving closed eyed stare but ignored it. "Ivory," he said and continued in English, "Would it be alright if Mrs. Mirza had some wine?"

"Absolutely," Ivory said and Roshad got some wine glasses from the wine cellar at the other end of the house and a wine bottle opener then brought that to the table for Ivory to open and pour for a glass for those that wanted it.

"I take it you're not Muslim?" Ashti said, proceeding in Farsi.

"No, we're Christian," Kareem answered. "You can imagine the new regime was extremely concerning under those circumstances. Diyanna said you moved here in '72?"

"Yes, I came to New York for vacation, met my wife and I decided to move to the US permanently," Roshad said. "My wife and I moved to Washington the following year to be close to her family and my maman moved here permanently when Kamron was 3 and we suddenly had 5 newborns."

"My goodness, five?!" Eliza asked wide eyed then glanced at Jaedynn. "Oh, you poor dear."

"What?" Jaedynn said when she realized Eliza was talking to her.

"I'm just telling them about the twins being born and us adopting Mikie, Don and Leo about the same time," Roshad said. "It seems Eliza is under the impression you were pregnant with five children at one."

"Oh," Jaedynn said and then smiled politely at Eliza. "I was only pregnant with twins, but that certainly was no picnic either."

"My wife is saying she was pregnant with twins, but it was still very difficult," Roshad explained to everyone in Farsi. "Mikie, Don and Leo are adopted. It's very long story, but the point is they were born in July while the twins were born in August."

"God bless you and your wife for your kind hearts," Diyanna said pleasantly. Roshad continued to speak to everyone in Farsi so Jaedynn returned her attention to Ivory and Anatoli.

"They seem really nice," Ivory said.

"I'm sure they are," Jaedynn said, "I just can't talk to them."

"How did Roshad meet them?" Anatoli asked quietly.

"I think Roshad met Diyanna at the grocery store and helped her out, he told her he has plenty of saffron so she came to get some and he invited her and the family to dinner as a way to welcome them to Washington," Jaedynn said. "Thanks again for coming on such short notice."

"It's no trouble," Ivory said and took a sip of wine. "So how are things?" she asked quietly.

Realizing Ivory was asking about her and Roshad, Jaedynn said, "I don't want to talk about that here," and then took a big gulp of wine. "So tell me: how's work been?"

"Work's been fine," Ivory said a little awkwardly but quickly returned to a more natural, comfortable tone. "We're dealing with a claim filed by one of the designers where a large shipment of couches arrived damaged. The shipping company's involved, we're involved – it's a mess. Really, the truth of the matter is there was clearly an issue during shipping and that shit just happens sometimes but try telling that to the designer who's not threatening to never sell through Macy's again if we don't get to the bottom of this and blah, blah, blah. You know: the usual."

"Sounds fun," Jaedynn answered and topped off Ivory's glass. "I think this calls for a little more liquid relaxation."

"Amen to that," Ivory said and then, once her glass was filled, tapped it against Jaedynn's then the two of them took a sip.

Throughout dinner, Eliza and Diyanna both would glance at Jaedynn feeling this strange sense of detachment but they didn't want to say anything. It wasn't their business. They stayed for hours enjoying dinner then dessert with tea all the while remaining two separate, distinct groups. The longer the night drew on, the more Diyanna noticed how distant Roshad and Jaedynn seemed with one another. Regardless, she kept her mouth shut and instead talked amongst the group.

"Thank you so much for having us over, Mr. Javadi," Kareem said as Roshad was escorting them out, "tonight truly was like a taste of home."

"I'm so happy you enjoyed yourself," Roshad said with a smile. Tonight really had been just the thing Roshad had needed. "And Diyanna, let me know the next time you need saffron."

"If I were to send a few friends your way, would the price be the same?" Diyanna asked.

"Yes, of course," Roshad said. "I have plenty so feel free to send as many people as you want."

"We will," Diyanna said. "Thank you again for dinner."

"If you want," Rashida spoke up, "I can offer some courses in English; free of charge. I know the move has been rough for all of you and I'm sure you're not alone in that."

"Are you sure?" Abdul asked. "I don't want to put you out."

"It's no trouble," Rashida said with a pleasant smile, "it's a pleasure. Just let me know what times work for you and we'll get to work."

"I can be available most of the day," Diyanna said. "Abdul, maybe on your days off, you can come with me."

"Sure," Abdul agreed with a shy smile. "Anyways, we'd better get going. Thank you again, Roshad."

"It's a pleasure," Roshad said. "If you ever want to come to dinner again, you're welcome."

"We most certainly will," Eliza said eagerly and after they all got their shoes on, they finally left.

Anatoli and Ivory left as well and after all the kids were tucked in for the night, Jaedynn retreated into the bathroom while Roshad saw Ashti and Rashida out. Roshad went downstairs to set up the little section of the room with his blankets and pillow getting ready for bed. He'd felt so normal for a few hours but now, being stuck downstairs, he felt alone again. He stared at the ceiling of the prayer room as though he might be able to see through to walls into the top floor of the house in their bedroom, but all he heard were the sounds of the house and the water rushing through the plumbing as Jaedynn was brushing her teeth.

After Jaedynn finished brushing her teeth, she went to bed getting under the covers. The sheets felt so cold as she crawled into bed. She'd become used to it. She laid in bed on her side until she finally fell asleep but like always, it was a challenge. She'd not had a good night sleep since returning to Washington from Iran. As she was lying down, Jaedynn felt a jolt go through her body that startled her awake but when she opened her eyes, she was sitting in the RV they'd rented for their trip to Tabriz. Jaedynn looked around and saw Roshad up front with Bastet talking to one another in Arabic but they were the only other ones in the RV. The children weren't there and neither were Ashti, Rashida or Morvarid. Jaedynn glanced down and she looked relatively normal.

She touched her stomach and realized her belly was poking out. She was pregnant! Jaedynn looked around again in a state of panic. Then she heard the collision with the RV and just when the RV started swinging around, she was thrown from her seat and she felt her body slam against the rails at the top of the car and the pain she remembered radiated throughout her body. When she opened her eyes, she was outside the RV and she could faintly hear screams. However, she could move her body. She heard a baby crying and jolted into sitting upright. She looked down seeing blood all over her crotch and then she looked further on the ground and what she saw horrified her. It was a baby about the size of a pear. There was crying, but the baby wasn't making any movements. Instead, he was crushed and covered in blood. Bizarrely, the eyes were wide open and they were hazel. Jaedynn's heart pounded and her eyes burned from the horror she was seeing.

She screamed and as she did, she sat up in her bed. It was dark and cold and she was shivering as she began to hyperventilate and cry. She reached over to Roshad's side of the bed just as a reflex but her hand encountered the headboard. His pillow was gone and while she'd of course known he was not sleeping in bed with her, that moment was the first time the fact was crushing to her. She was reliving the event all over again in that moment and when she'd reached for Roshad, he wasn't there. She started crying harder and she didn't look up when the door to their bedroom opened and Roshad rushed in.

"Jaedynn?" Roshad asked in an alarmed voice as he sat on the edge of the bed and brought his hands to Jaedynn's arms. "Jaedynn? What's wrong? What happened?"

She didn't answer him. All she could do was cry. Roshad tried to hug her, but she forced herself out of his arms and rushed to the bathroom. Roshad called her name and went after her but the door was slammed in his face before he could reach her. He stood there listening to her cry for several minutes before finally walking away. He went to close the bedroom door then returned to the bed sitting on his side waiting. He ended up waiting an hour before it sounded like Jaedynn had calmed down. He went to the door and knocked saying her name quietly but she didn't answer. He tried to knock again but she still didn't answer. He listened carefully and realized she'd fallen asleep. He slowly opened the door and saw Jaedynn on the bathroom floor between the toilet and tub with her face streaked with tears. He went to her, lifted her in his arms as gently as possible and brought her out to their bed gently placing her down and pulling the covers over.

Once she was in bed, Roshad got on the other side and laid beside her. He was closer to her than he'd been in days yet she still felt so far away. At dawn, Roshad was out of bed and rushed downstairs to the prayer room to have the blankets folded and hidden away along with his pillow then went to the kitchen to make breakfast. When Jaedynn woke up, she was startled to see she was in bed. She could have sworn she'd last been on the bathroom floor. Then she remembered Roshad had come upstairs and she turned to look at the other side of the bed but when she did, he wasn't there. A tear fell but this time she brushed it away and got herself dressed and ready for the day. When she left the bedroom, she realized the kids were already out and when she made it downstairs, they were all at the table eating a big breakfast with Ashti and Rashida helping Maleek with the eggs he'd been given.

"Jaedynn?" Roshad asked and she looked at him seeing he was at the table, "are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah," Jaedynn she lied in a weak voice, "I'm alright." Then she went to the other side of the table taking a seat pouring herself some tea but not eating any breakfast. Roshad looked at her willing Jaedynn to look back but she didn't. It was soul crushing and while he tried to act normal, that look in Jaedynn's eyes and the way she'd pushed him away continued to weigh on his mind.

The next day wound up being extremely busy. Diyanna made good on her promise she'd spread the word about Roshad's supply and Sunday afternoon, there was a knock on the door one after another after another of wives and young sons at the door with money and a desire to purchase saffron. By the time a third group had come to make a purchase, Roshad had moved the opened box of saffron downstairs to the prayer room and was making glass containers of varying sizes out of marbles putting away all the saffron in the containers. A few of those that came remained wanting to speak with Rashida having heard she was offering English lessons. So she spoke with those who were interested and worked out a schedule with everyone. Diyanna ended up coming by with Yusef in arm also wanting to set a schedule with Rashida to learn English. After getting the dates down, she went down to the prayer room to check on Roshad. He finished up with an older woman there with her grandson and after she'd left, Diyanna smiled.

"Glad to see I could send you new customers," Diyanna said.

"Word of mouth is the most effective form of advertizing," Roshad answered. "Thank you for that. Honestly, my uncle sent more saffron than I think even I could ever use so I'm happy to spread it around."

"We're all happy to receive," Diyanna smiled, but she noticed the dark circles under Roshad's eyes. She looked over her shoulder anxiously before finally asking a burning question. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm sorry?" Roshad asked, not understanding the reason for her question.

"You look exhausted," Diyanna said. "Not enough sleep last night?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Roshad said, although he didn't not say the reason. "I haven't really slept well in a while."

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"It's nothing a doctor could fix," Roshad said. "Forgive me, it's a private matter. I'd prefer not to talk about it." Diyanna looked at him a moment then looked over her shoulder again at the stairs as if trying to direct her vision at Jaedynn, wherever she might have been in the house at that time. Then she looked at Roshad again.

"Is something wrong? Between you and Mrs. Javadi I mean?"

"Please Diyanna, I appreciate your concern, but it would be best if you dropped it," Roshad said a little defensively.

"Yes, of course," Diyanna said calmly realizing she'd clearly hit a nerve. "Please forgive me. I meant no offense."

"I know; it's alright," Roshad assured. "In any case, thank you for the business."

"It's the least I can do," Diyanna said. "I just spoke with Rashida and I'll be coming over for English lessons. If you ever want to talk, just let me know."

"That's very kind of you, Diyanna; thank you," Roshad said.

Diyanna bowed her head, Roshad bowed back and then Diyanna smiled reassuringly at him before walking back upstairs. Jaedynn saw Diyanna come back upstairs from the prayer room and leave with Yusef but otherwise ignored her.

Throughout the week, dozens of Iranian refugees came and went for English lessons with Rashida and to buy saffron when they needed it. It was a large collection of men, women and children all kept into different brackets in an effort to make sure those who were learning faster (specifically the children) were able to learn at their own pace while anyone who was having a hard time or not learning quite as fast were being given extra attention. In the afternoons, it was usually women and children and since Iman and Kamron were home from school, Rashida would have them help.

"Iman," Rashida said to Iman as she was walking the adults through the English alphabet, "teach everyone the song you learned." Iman came to the front so everyone could see her, still wearing her school uniform, and she sang.

"A-B-C-D-E-F-G," she sang in her sweet, tiny voice, "H-I-J-K-LMNOP," as she sang, she swayed gently doing a little dance, "Q-R-S-T-U-V," she continued, "W-X-Y and Z. Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me?" When she finished, Rashida clapped and all the moment did as well giggling and awing as Iman bowed her head with a big, proud smile.

"Wonderful, Iman," Rashida praised and Iman left the front going to Ashti to sit on her lap. Rashida continued with the lesson while Ashti petted Iman's hair and praised her.

Jaedynn watched the news on a quiet volume so as not to bother anyone, but she turned it up when a reporter began a report about a group of American citizens being held hostage in Iran. Rashida stopped the lesson when she overheard that and came to the TV. Protestors had stormed the American Embassy and were now holding 60 American's hostage. Rashida needed to explain what the reporter was saying and once everyone present knew the magnitude of what was happening, they all felt scared for the future and what this might mean for them as Iranians on American soil. Jaedynn was of the same mind. She wasn't so naïve as to think children wouldn't understand this and therefore her children had nothing to fear from their classmates. Their classmates would behave based on how their parents dealt with this situation. That's what scared her.

The next day, Jaedynn insisted on coming with Roshad as he dropped off Kamron and Iman to school. Roshad had heard the news reports and was happy to have Jaedynn with. When they made it to the school, Jaedynn and Roshad got out of the car first then helped Kamron and Iman out of the car. They got out of the car without fear and rushed to the lines for their assigned classrooms. Everything seemed fine. None of the children were treating Kamron or Iman differently and the teachers seemed to be acting normally as well. Once the kids were all inside, Jaedynn and Roshad finally got into the car and began the drive home. Jaedynn was silent but she was on the verge of tears. Wanting to give her some bit of comfort, Roshad reached over and took her hand. She didn't pull away, but she didn't react either.

For a few days, things seemed fine but on Wednesday, things took a bad turn. While Iman was on the playground during recess with a few of her classmates, some older kids she didn't know approached her. From there, one of the boys called her a terrorist parroting whatever he heard at home and the older boys started shoving Iman around like a ball calling her names and making her cry. The girls she was with rushed to get their teacher while Kamron, also on the playground, rushed over and started attacking the older boys. It turned into a brawl. The older kids were bigger than Kamron but he managed to throw a few good hits and get them away from his little sister. Finally, the girls came with Iman's teacher who demanded the boys leave Iman alone and sent them and Kamron to the principal's office. Iman was sobbing uncontrollably while her teacher brought her to the nurse to make sure she wasn't injured while the principal called in all the children's parents. Roshad, Jaedynn and Ashti were the first to arrive at the school and found the Principal's office.

"Where are Kamron and Iman?" Roshad demanded of the front desk manager when they arrived.

"You are their father? Mr. Javadi?" she asked.

"Yes," Roshad said while Jaedynn and Ashti stood behind him.

"Kamron is in detention with the other children. Iman is still with the nurse," the receptionist answered.

"Take me to the nurse," Ashti demanded. "I am her grandmother."

"Elaine?" the receptionist said to another woman in the office, "could you please take Mrs. Javadi to the nurse's office?"

"Of course," Elaine said and walked around, "right this way, ma'am." She guided Ashti down the hall to the nurse and she went right to Iman as soon as she saw her comforting her granddaughter while Roshad and Jaedynn stayed in the principal's office.

"What happened?" Roshad demanded.

"Just one moment, Mr. Javadi; I'll let Principal Hanover know you and your wife are here," the receptionist said and then pressed a few buttons on the phone. She spoke with him a moment and then once they disconnected, she said to Roshad, "Mr. Hanover said he'll be right with you."

"I want to talk to Mrs. Fischer," Roshad said, referring to Iman's teacher.

"One moment; I'll go grab her," the receptionist said and left the office. Roshad and Jaedynn waited several minutes before the receptionist returned with Mrs. Fischer.

"Good afternoon," Mrs. Fischer said politely.

"What happened?" Roshad demanded without missing a beat.

"A few of our older students started making fun of Iman. Kamron got involved and started a fight with those students and by the time I made it, Kamron had given Steven a bloody nose. I rushed Iman to the nurse and the boys to detention," Mrs. Fischer answered.

"And why weren't you watching them?" Roshad continued. "What would have happened if Iman's friends hadn't come and grabbed you? The fight would have gotten worse?"

"Please Mr. Javadi; I know you're upset-"

"Upset? My daughter is assaulted, you're nowhere to be found to help her and my son had to step in! I'm not 'upset'; I'm furious!"

"Please don't yell, Mr. Javadi," Mrs. Fischer pleaded. "Mr. Hanover will speak with all the students and once he has the full story, he will take the appropriate disciplinary action. You have every reason to be upset and you have my sincerest apologies for not being present to stop a fight from occurring in the first place. Right now, I ask that you and your wife take a seat and wait for Mr. Hanover to call you into his office. Again, I apologize this happened and I apologize for any delayed action on my part."

"Thank you," Roshad finally said despite his remaining anger over the situation and he and Jaedynn took a seat in the waiting section but not side by side. They were still close but there was some distance. Mrs. Fischer noticed the distance but didn't say anything and left the office. They ended up waiting at least ten minutes and the whole time, Roshad was seething. Ashti finally came in with Iman who ran to Roshad crying.

"Baba!" Iman cried and Roshad took her in his arms to cuddle and sooth her.

"Unacceptable," Ashti muttered in Farsi. "Treating my poor Iman so disrespectfully – shameful!" Roshad continued soothing Iman by rubbing her back and holding her all the while getting angrier over what had happened. They heard the phone on the receptionist's desk ring and weren't paying attention to her at first.

"Mr. and Mrs. Javadi?" the receptionist said, "Mr. Hanover will see you now."

"Come here, Azizam," Ashti said and encouraged Iman to come to her so Roshad and Jaedynn could go into the principal's office. Roshad and Jaedynn went to the office they were directed to and knocked on the door before letting themselves in.

"You're Mr. Javadi?" Mr. Hanover asked when Roshad stepped in.

"Yes," Roshad answered.

"And I'm sorry, I don't believe Margaret said your name miss," Mr. Hanover said to Jaedynn. It was not lost on either of them Mr. Hanover spoke much nicer to her than he had to Roshad.

"I'm Jaedynn Javadi, sir," Jaedynn answered and that took Mr. Hanover by surprise.

"You're….forgive me, I assumed you were one of the other children's parents," he said and directed them to sit in the chairs across from him.

"No, I'm Iman's and Kamron's mother," Jaedynn said harshly. Mr. Hanover still seemed rather stunned by that but eventually moved on.

"Well, in any case thank you for coming," Principal Hanover finally said. "As you know, your son got into an altercation with a few other boys. Mrs. Fischer informed me your daughter Iman was having trouble with some of the boys so Kamron stepped in and started a fight."

"Let me correct you, Mr. Hanover," Roshad began, not liking the principal's tone or implication, "My daughter was being harassed while in your care, my son took it upon himself to come to her defense when your staff failed to do so and now my son is in detention." Roshad said in a harsh voice.

"Mr. Javadi, I understand your frustration. At this point in time, Kamron is only in detention for the purpose of getting his side of the story. No disciplinary action has been taken at this time," Mr. Hanover said.

"Not even for the boys responsible for this?!" Roshad demanded.

"Please don't yell, Mr. Javadi," Mr. Hanover said. "We are still talking with the children and trying to understand what happened."

"What is there left to understand?" Jaedynn demanded. "Iman was playing, some older children started bullying her and my son stood up for her! If anyone deserves disciplinary action, it's those boys who attacked my daughter!" There was a knock at the door silencing Jaedynn and the receptionist stepped in.

"Mr. Hanover, I have the other parents outside," she said.

"Thank you; please bring them in," Mr. Hanover said. The receptionist brought two women as well as a mother and father. Roshad and Jaedynn stood when the other parents entered the room. "Thank you everyone for being here. Margaret, can you bring in more chairs?"

"Yes, Mr. Hanover," the receptionist said and went to grab more chairs, but the other parents got right into it without giving Margaret a chance to return with more chairs.

"Mr. Hanover, Mrs. Kinsley called me claiming my son is in detention for attacking a little girl," one woman who'd come in alone spoke up, "but I will have you know my son would never do such a thing."

"You said the boys got in a fight?" the only other father in the room said.

"Yes, Mr. Haul, the boys got into a fight on the playground," Mr. Hanover said.

"Then why are we here?" Mr. Haul demanded. "Boys get into fights – it's what they do."

Mrs. Haul glanced at Roshad and said, "Our son certainly wouldn't be associating with either of those children."

"Excuse me?" Jaedynn said.

"This fight was a result of your children harassing my daughter!" Roshad yelled.

"How dare you?! Steven wouldn't hurt a fly!" the other woman who came alone yelled.

"Bullshit! Your sons all attacked my daughter!" Jaedynn said.

"Everyone, please calm down," Mr. Hanover said. "I would like to speak with everyone individually. Mrs. Jenkins would you like to stay and we'll bring Steven in?"

"Thank you, sir," Mrs. Jenkins answered and Margaret, who'd been standing in the doorway the whole time, went to the detention room to get Steven while all the other parents walked out to return to the sitting area.

Recess was over by then and another staff member invited Iman and Ashti to come outside so Iman could play but Iman stuck by Ashti's side not wanting to leave her. Jaedynn and Roshad were waiting in the sitting area for over an hour while the principal talked to each parent and child leaving them for last. When the principal was finished speaking with each parent, they left the office with their child in tow until it was finally Roshad's and Jaedynn's turn.

"Please come in, Mr. and Mrs. Javadi," Mr. Hanover said after the last parents and their son left the office. Margaret retrieved Kamron and brought him to the principal's office then shut the door once everyone was inside. Kamron went right to Jaedynn asking to sit in her lap and she picked him up to hold him the whole time. Kamron cuddled up to her anxiously and Jaedynn gently rubbed his back kissing his forehead reassuringly.

"Kamron?" Mr. Hanover said, "Can you tell me what happened?" Kamron didn't answer and kept himself cuddled against Jaedynn clearly anxious.

"Kamron," Roshad said and gently rubbed Kamron's back, "Can you please talk to Mr. Hanover?"

"The big kids were being mean to Iman," Kamron answered in a quiet, timid voice.

"Did you start a fight with those other boys, Kamron?" Mr. Hanover asked.

"No – they started it," Kamron said.

"Kamron, why didn't you go get a teacher?" Mr. Hanover asked.

"I didn't see one," Kamron said. "Iman needed me. I helped her."

"That was very brave of you to help your little sister," Jaedynn said and kissed Kamron's head but the principal wasn't so encouraging.

"In a situation like this, Kamron, if those boys were doing something wrong you should have requested assistance from a teacher," Mr. Hanover said. "Now, Kamron, I understand you were coming to your sister's aid, but the fact remains you started a fight and injured a student. Mr. Javadi, in light of this your son will be suspended for the duration of 1 week." Roshad's eyes went wide with fury.

"Excuse me?" Roshad asked and an eerily quiet voice marking the calm before the storm. Jaedynn was just as shocked and at a loss for words.

"Kamron is suspended until Wednesday the 14th," Mr. Hanover said.

"And are those other kids being suspended for harassing my daughter?!" Roshad demanded.

"They will be serving detention for-"

"So you're giving those boys a slap on the wrist is what you're saying?" Jaedynn said, "Meanwhile you're punishing Kamron with suspension?! This is ridiculous!"

"Mrs. Javadi, you need to understand that when children do something wrong, they need to be punished."

"Don't you speak down to my wife like she's a child," Roshad said in a cruel voice. "Kamron already explained he didn't reach out to a teacher for assistance because a teacher was not available to help. These boys were pushing and shoving my daughter around and that is completely unacceptable. Had your staff been doing their job and kept the children in their sights at all times, Kamron wouldn't have needed to take matters into his own hands. The fact you have the nerve to give those deviants mere detention while giving my son suspension is an insult."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Mr. Javadi, but perhaps if you didn't coddle the boy and taught him some boundaries, Kamron might not have behaved in such an unacceptable manner." Roshad's eye and nostrils flared and Mr. Hanover seemed to back down a little but it didn't last long. Soon, he cleared his throat and said, "Now, Mr. Javadi, once Kamron-"

"How dare you insinuate my wife and I are bad parents?" Roshad interrupted in a furry. "Furthermore, how dare you put the blame entirely on Kamron's shoulders?! Those brats attacked my daughter! Yet you're going to sit here and do nothing about it?!"

"We aren't doing 'nothing', Mr. Javadi. Those boys are being given detention," Mr. Hanover said.

"Meanwhile you're requiring my son be suspended," Roshad muttered and then said, "we're done here," before standing from his chair. Jaedynn stood with him doing her best to focus on comforting Kamron. "Since you and your staff clearly hold no concern for my children's safety and wellbeing, our children will no longer be attending your school. I will expect a refund of the money I've paid for the year's tuition. For both Kamron and Iman."

"Mr. Javadi, that won't be necessary," Mr. Hanover said, "Kamron just needs a week to-"

"I've already told you what needs to happen, Mr. Hanover. If you're going to be difficult, I will have our lawyer contact you," Roshad said.

"Don't get litigious with me, Mr. Javadi," Mr. Hanover said, not bothering to stand from his seat. "The tuition is non-refundable and you can threaten me with your lawyer all you want, but it won't do you any good. You don't scare me."

Roshad huffed under his breath and said, "Enjoy that while it lasts," and then guided Jaedynn to leave the office with him.

They went to the playground to get Iman and Ashti and finally left the school. Roshad dropped Jaedynn and their children off at the house so she could take Kamron and Iman to the tribe to get them set up to start attending the Tribal School as soon as possible while Roshad went to Kevin's office. Once he arrived, he explained to the receptionist why he was there and he needed to speak to Kevin right away. She informed he was on the phone with a client but she would ensure he was aware Roshad was there and he'd make himself available right away. Roshad waited a half hour before Kevin was finally able to invite him into his office.

"It's bad enough to treat an adult this way," Roshad muttered after he'd explained to Kevin what happened.

"I know," Kevin said.

"I wasn't asking much – just to be reimbursed the cost of tuition," Roshad said.

"The principal put on a brave face, but getting you the money won't be hard," Kevin said. "I'd be willing to wager he assumed coming to me was an empty threat but he should know full well what he's done is a violation of the 14th Amendment. If he refuses to refund you and we take this to court, his best case scenario would be immediate termination so the school can protect their reputation and that of the parents and students who attend the school."

"So one strongly worded letter from you should do the trick?"

"Easily," Kevin said. "It's a private school and therefore a private business and this sort of publicity would reflect poorly on their customers. In other words, the parents. They'll sooner cut their losses and give you your money back than let this go to court and cause a nationwide smear campaign."

"I appreciate it, Kevin," Roshad said.

"It's no trouble, Roshad," Kevin said. "I know going to the tribal school will be a long haul for the kids but it'll be in their best interest."

"I know," Roshad said. "I'll make it work. And thank you again."

Roshad finally left Kevin's office and when he was gone, Kevin got right to work on his letter to the school. It was 2 pages explaining who his clients were, what the complaint against the school was, the reason for the complaint, what their demands were to have this resolved and the course of action Kevin and his clients would be taking should the school choose not to give his clients their refund for the amount paid to send the children to the school for a year. Kevin had this all typed out on stationary with his law firm's name in the top left hand corner of the pages and had that mailed out that day to be delivered to the school right away.

Meanwhile, Jaedynn drove to the tribe with Kamron and Iman in the backseat. Ashti remained at the house with Rashida and the other kids. Kamron and Iman had been extremely quiet the whole drive home from school and they'd stayed quiet during the drive to the tribe. Halfway to the tribe when they were driving through Olympia, Kamron started crying.

"I'm sorry, mommy," Kamron said.

"What?" Jaedynn said and looked in the rear view mirror. "Kamron, what's wrong? Why are you sorry?" Since Kamron was crying, Jaedynn pulled over on the side of the highway turning on her hazard lights and bringing to car to park so she could turn and lean over to the back seat. "Kamron, what's the matter?"

"I didn't mean to make you mad," Kamron cried.

"Kamron, sweetheart, I'm not angry," Jaedynn said and crawled the rest of the way to the backseat and brought Iman and Kamron in her arms. "Your baba and I aren't angry at you. You did the right thing helping your little sister. None of what happened after is your fault."

She didn't even know how to explain to Kamron and Iman what happened. She didn't know how to explain the principal had taken one look at Roshad, realized he's Middle Eastern and decided right out of the gate Kamron was guilty whether it was true or not. She didn't know how to explain the principal clearly assumed she was white and was almost certainly offended by a 'white' woman being married to an Iranian. She didn't know how to explain the parents must be following the hostage crises, discuss the news around their children and those children were acting out what they hear from their parents.

"Everything will be okay, Kamron," Jaedynn promised after a moment. "You aren't in trouble and your baba and I aren't angry with you. This just means you'll be going to a different school for a while; that's all."

"Does this mean we can't see our friends anymore?" Iman asked.

"Of course not," Jaedynn soothed, "you can still see your friends whenever you want. It would just be outside school. That's all."

They stayed on the side of the highway for a while so Jaedynn could help Kamron and Iman calm down. When they were finally feeling a little better, Jaedynn got back into the front seat and finished the drive to the tribe. Once they arrived, she drove up to the tribal school and brought Kamron and Iman in with her going straight to the administrative offices.

"Jaedynn?" the young woman at the front desk asked. It was a girl she'd gone to school with named Rachael.

"Hey Rachael," Jaedynn said. "I don't suppose grandma's available is she?"

"I'm available," Renesmee said and Jaedynn looked over her shoulder seeing her grandma standing in the doorway of her office. "Is everything okay, Jaedynn?"

"No," Jaedynn admitted then looked at Kamron saying, "how about you and Iman go outside and play for a bit? I'll be inside talking to grandma okay?"

"Rachael," Renesmee said, "Can you do me a favor and take the kids to the police station? Nathan's not on patrol today."

"Sure thing Renesmee," Rachael said and came around her desk going to Kamron and Iman. "Hey you two. How about I take you to the station to visit your grandpa? Would you like that?" Kamron and Iman nodded and followed Rachael out while Renesmee led Jaedynn to her office closing the door once they were both inside.

"What's going on, Jaedynn?" Renesmee asked once they were both seated.

"This morning while Iman was out at recess, some boys came over and started making fun of her and pushing her around. Kamron couldn't find a teacher so he came to her aid and bloodied one boy's nose. Iman's classmates went to grab a teacher and they were brought to the principal's office. To get to the point, the principal put full responsibility on Kamron and wanted to suspend him while the boys who were bullying Iman only got detention. Roshad and I were both furious. Roshad told them since they aren't concerned with our children's safety we would be removing Kamron and Iman from the school and he wanted back the money paid for the tuition. He went to Uncle Kevin's office to handle that. I'm here to find out if we could transfer Kamron and Iman here until further notice."

"Absolutely you can," Renesmee said. "We'll contact the old school and I'll make sure they aren't falling behind. They can start as soon as Monday if you want."

"Thank you, grandma," Jaedynn said and was about to start crying, "thank you so much. I know this is a lot to ask-"

"Not at all," Renesmee said. "I'm sorry this all happened, but we're going to take this negative and turn it into a positive."

"Thank you, grandma," Jaedynn said and Renesmee came to give Jaedynn a much needed hug.

Rachael brought the kids to the station and led them to Nathan's office. He was shocked to see them there but thanked Rachael and kept the kids busy showing them around and even taking them to the dispatch area where Jaedynn used to work when she was younger. Kamron explained in his own way what happened, so Nathan took Kamron and Iman around in the cop car to cheer them up. He came to the school just as Jaedynn was leaving with Renesmee walking her out.

"Jaedynn!" Nathan said from inside the car and Jaedynn rushed over. She saw Kamron and Iman in the backseat smiling and smiled back at them.

"And what are you two doing in the back of a cop car?" Jaedynn asked.

"Just driving them around fighting crime," Nathan joked and opened the door to get out. Kamron and Iman got out too and ran away to the playground of the school to play. "So Roshad pulled them out of school?"

"Yes," Jaedynn said. "The principal insinuated Kamron was solely at fault for what happened and Roshad lost his shit."

"I would too," Nathan said. "So the kids are coming here from now on?"

"Yeah, grandma's working out the details and they start Monday," Jaedynn said.

"Well, I'm sorry this is how it's happening, but I'm happy to have the kids here more often," Nathan said. "Where's Roshad?"

"He said he was going to Uncle Kevin's office. He told the principal he wants our money back for the tuition and he basically told Roshad to stuff it," Jaedynn said.

"Ah," Nathan said, "Well, Kevin will twist their arms, so you don't have to worry."

"I know he will," Jaedynn said. "Bringing Kamron and Iman here every day's going to be rough for them." Jaedynn then looked up at Nathan pleadingly. "I'm sorry to ask this, but do you suppose me and the kids could live with you and mom? Just for a while? At least during the week so the kids don't have to go through four hours of traveling every day?"

"Sure," Nathan said but then continued with, "Have you and Roshad been able to work things out?"

"We aren't really talking," Jaedynn said. "I'll talk to him about this but frankly it's not fair to Kamron and Iman to cart them two hours to school then two hours back home."

"No, I hear you," Nathan said. "I just don't want this making things between you and Roshad worse."

"This isn't about me and Roshad," Jaedynn said.

After a brief silence, Nathan finally said, "You're right. You guys will be going back home on the weekends, so everything will be fine. You said Kamron and Iman don't start until Monday?"

"Yeah," Jaedynn said. "I'll take them home and get everything packed and have them back by Sunday so they can start school on Monday."

"Sounds like a plan," Nathan said.

Jaedynn and Nathan eventually joined Kamron and Iman on the playground and Jaedynn stayed there with them for a few hours before finally getting them in the car to return home. By the time they got back, Roshad was home and making dinner. Ashti and Rashida helped put the kids to bed that evening and left about the same time they normally would. Roshad tucked the kids in and then went downstairs. Jaedynn stayed in their bedroom getting ready for bed but once she was in her night dress and had brushed her teeth, instead of getting into bed she left their bedroom retreating downstairs to the prayer room. Roshad already had his blankets and pillow laid out when she'd made it downstairs.

"Jaedynn?" Roshad said when he saw her.

"We didn't really get a chance to discuss what happened today," Jaedynn said. She stayed at the bottom of the stairs not approaching him while Roshad stood from the floor. "I spoke with grandma. She's going to contact the school and pull all the loose ends together and she said they can start Monday."

"Good," Roshad said. "Kevin's writing a letter to the school. He's confident actually being contacted by a lawyer will be enough to make them give us our money back if only to avoid any public backlash." Jaedynn hummed a little as she nodded her head.

"I talked to daddy. I asked him if he would mind me moving in with him with the kids so Kamron and Iman don't have to spend four hours of their day coming and going from school," Jaedynn said and that grabbed Roshad's attention. She was giving a perfectly reasonable explanation and he agreed it would be best for the kids, but it was a hard pill to swallow under the circumstances.

"Would you come back for the weekends?" Roshad asked.

"Yeah," Jaedynn said. "So, um," she trailed off, "tomorrow I'll start packing the kids' things so we're prepared to leave Sunday."

"Jaedynn," Roshad said and started to approach her but he was quiet again. He knew what he wanted to say but he was too scared to say it, fearing what her answer might be. He didn't want to even entertain the possibility the space he was already giving her wasn't enough and that she didn't even want to be in the same house as him. He told himself he was being ridiculous and this wasn't about them, it was about their kids and he needed to not let this bother him. So instead, he said, "I'll come to the tribe as often as possible. I don't want to only see the kids on weekends." You didn't have a problem spending a year away from them, Jaedynn thought. She didn't say it though.

"They'll like that," was all she said and started walking up the stairs.

Roshad almost said, "I love you" but he couldn't form the words. She already had her back to him and she felt so distant. He went to the little altar with the Quran and just stared at it as though the book might hold the answer or perhaps God might tell him what to do like in the stories of directing the prophet Musa. There was nothing of course. The book rested on its mantle and the only sounds came from the wind outside and the sound of droplets hitting the glass door as it rained. Finally, Roshad got tucked into his makeshift bed, but as usual he went without sleep most of the night.

The following day, Kevin called the house with good news. His letter made it to the school and the principal had called him personally. He got the impression Mr. Hanover thought Kevin wasn't actually their lawyer and the moment he affirmed he not only was their lawyer but had in fact written the letter demanding the school to reimburse Roshad the cost of tuition, Mr. Hanover agreed he would ensure Roshad was paid back and they should expect that check soon. All the while, the rest of that week, things stayed more or less the same between Roshad and Jaedynn. Meaning it was dead silence. They communicated when they had to and that was it. Jaedynn explained to the kids they would be moving to Forks so Kamron and Iman could go to school and the kids kicked up a huge fuss, but Roshad made sure they understood he would visit during the week and they would be coming back home during the weekends.

The kids weren't happy but seemed to drop it. At least until that night. All the kids were put to bed and Roshad retreated downstairs to the prayer room as had become the norm. He was getting his small makeshift bed set up when he heard footsteps coming down stairs. He rushed to fold back up the blankets and hide them just in time for Kamron to come downstairs.

"Kamron? What are you doing out of bed?" Roshad asked.

"Baba?" Kamron said, not answering, and came closer to Roshad, "why are you and mommy fighting?"

"What? Who said we're fighting?" Roshad asked and closed the distance so he was sitting on the floor right in front of Kamron. "Your mother and I aren't fighting, Kamron," Roshad lied.

"But why are you and mommy not talking? You and mommy look so sad," Kamron said.

"It's….." Roshad trailed off, not sure how to answer.

"Now we're leaving," Kamron continued and his mind wandered to something a teacher had explained to him one day when this was happening to one of his friends. "My friend at school; he said his mommy and daddy fight all the time and now they want to break up."

"Kamron, your mother and I aren't like your friend's parents," Roshad was quick to say knowing where Kamron was going with this. "I promise, Kamron, your mother and I are not getting a divorce. You all moving to Forks has absolutely nothing to do with your mother and I. This is entirely intended to make going to school easier for you and Iman. It's a very long drive from here to the Quileute tribe. If you and Iman stayed here, you would have to be out of bed at 4 so you can get washed up, have breakfast and then have time for the 2 hour drive to school and that wouldn't be fun for you. This move is strictly a matter of convenience for you and your sister. You'll be home for the weekends and when school lets out, you'll be back home until school starts back up again. This is just temporary. I promise."

"But why are you and mommy acting funny?" Kamron pressed as he sniffled. Roshad wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to lie to Kamron but he didn't want to unload on the boy either.

"Kamron," Roshad finally said, "when your mommy and I lost the baby, it hurt really, really badly. We're still grieving and it's made things hard on us. I don't want you to worry or think your mommy and I are going to break up. I love your mother with my whole soul and will do everything in my power to make things better. It will just take time for us to move on from what happened, but I don't want you to worry, okay? Everything will be alright."

"Do you promise?" Kamron asked.

"I promise," Roshad said and gave Kamron a hug. Kamron wrapped his arms around Roshad's neck hugging him tight. "Let's get you back into bed, okay?"

Roshad brought Kamron back upstairs tucking him into bed then retreated back downstairs. Once he was in front of the little stand with the Quran again, he started praying. He didn't know what else to do except pray. Since Kamron and Iman were home the rest of the week, Roshad spent all his time with them and the other children. People continued coming to the house for their English lessons during the afternoon and Jaedynn spent a lot of her afternoons with Ivory after she was home from work both to talk to her about what happened with the school but also get the most out of their time together before she would be 2 hours away for a while.

On Sunday, the kids' things were all packed and they left the house but only after making Roshad promise he'd come to the tribe and visit them the next day. Roshad swore he would and he stayed outside as Jaedynn drove off with the kids. Roshad hated every moment of it. Watching Jaedynn drive away felt like salt in his wounds but he ignored his own feelings and returned inside once they were out of side. The next morning when he checked the mail, he found a check from the school for the tuition he was owed back. He went to the bank right away to have the money transferred and returned to the house just in time for an older woman to come over asking to purchase saffron.

The next day, he came to the tribe to visit as he promised he would to visit the kids and did that every day that week. Kamron and Iman had a rough start still upset they had to leave their old school and their friends, but Renesmee made sure they were welcomed and by the end of their first week, they had adjusted to their new school really well. Kamron's and Iman's old friends still missed them and by Wednesday, Roshad received calls from the children's parents asking to arrange a play date. Roshad had the whole thing set up wanting to surprise Kamron and Iman. They returned home with Jaedynn Friday evening and they were welcomed with the smell of Ghormeh Sabzi which had all the kids joyous and eager for dinner. The next day around eleven, Kamron's and Iman's friends from school came to the house with their parents and they all played outside in the backyard like they would during recess.

"I'm so sorry that happened," one of the kids' mothers said to Jaedynn after she'd explained what happened. "Mary was so upset when Iman stopped coming to school."

"Iman and Kamron were really upset too," Jaedynn said. "Thank you so much for bringing Mary over."

"It was a pleasure," Mary's mother said. "For what it's worth," she continued, "I know you and your husband are good people." Jaedynn looked at the woman strangely not realizing what she meant at first but when she knew what she meant, Jaedynn took a deep breath.

"I appreciate that," Jaedynn finally said.

Sunday night, Jaedynn drove the kids back to the tribe and just like that, Roshad was alone again and he absolutely hated it. He didn't even bother sleeping in his and Jaedynn's bedroom. Somehow, that was worse than sleeping in the prayer room like he'd been doing. Diyanna and several others continued to come to the house frequently for English lessons but the absence of Jaedynn and the kids did not go unnoticed. No one said anything but, of course, there was speculation especially when people would speak with Roshad or even just see him and notice he looked in low spirits. Diyanna said nothing at first not wanting to poke her nose in his business, but when the others started gossiping, she couldn't help worrying. So when it was nearing Thanksgiving and Rashida had released everyone from their English lessons for the day, Diyanna went down to the prayer room where Roshad was dividing up some saffron threads into glass containers filling orders.

"Roshad?" Diyanna said and Roshad looked up at her.

"Afternoon," Roshad said pleasantly but he was giving her a weak smile, "Did you need more saffron?"

"Not yet – I will soon," she said with a pleasant smile. She came closer and sat a few feet from him sitting on the floor. "I thought I'd ask how you're doing."

"I'm alright," Roshad answered.

"Are you sure?" Diyanna asked. Her smile and her voice was so friendly. It was reassuring and it was just the thing Roshad didn't realize he needed.

"It's a long story," Roshad finally said. "I was away from home for a long time. Must longer than I ever had any business being away. Things have been really tough between Jaedynn and I for a while."

Diyanna nodded knowingly, "I see. Why were you away so long? Where you in Iran?"

"Yes, I was in Iran," Roshad said. "I apologize, Diyanna, but I would prefer not to talk about it." Diyanna waited a moment before she finally nodded.

"Yes, of course," she said. "I'm sorry for overstepping."

"You didn't," Roshad said. He looked at Diyanna for a moment as she continued to give him a friendly smile. "Could I ask you something?"

"Absolutely," she said.

"For the sake of argument, pretend for a moment that Abdul did something that made you extremely angry with him. What would he need to do to win your forgiveness?" Diyanna looked at Roshad strangely a moment.

"I suppose it would depend on what he did," she finally said. "If you're implying infidelity, I don't know if I could forgive that."

"That wasn't the crime I was thinking of," Roshad said. "Say there was a loss in the family and afterwards, Abdul was away for a long time while you were left alone with Yusef. Would you be able to forgive him?"

"I would be angry with him, but I would forgive him," Diyanna said. "So long as he apologized and was sincere, of course I would forgive him."

"What if a sincere apology wasn't enough?" Roshad asked. Diyanna continued to look at him strangely but then she had a glimmer of understanding. She shifted on the floor a little and took a deep breath.

"That's when you need outside help," she finally said. "When Abdul brought Yusef and I to Germany, it was a culture shock. I was terrified. I was in a country where I didn't speak the language, I didn't know where anything was – it felt like I was on an alien planet. I began to resent Abdul for taking me away from my home. We began to argue a lot."

"How did you and Abdul work things out?"

"We got counseling," Diyanna said. "I didn't want to go but my mother insisted. I told her this was mine and my husband's problem and we can fix it ourselves. She told me we were doing a horrendous job of fixing things and it was time to seek help. So we found a counselor in Hamburg where we were living that spoke Farsi and started seeing him together."

"And it helped?"

Diyanna nodded, "I wish we'd gone to counseling sooner. When Abdul and I first met, we were young, in college and didn't have a care in the world. When we got married, it felt like the world was crumbling around us but at least we had each other. Then I became pregnant with Yusef and everything changed. Abdul was always tired, he seemed distant and wouldn't interact with me much. When Yusef was born, he became more distant than ever. Then he told me to pack my things, that we were fleeing Iran. By the time we'd made it to Germany, Yusef was almost a year old, I was in a strange country and Abdul was working so hard to provide for us.

"I would complain to my mother about missing the way things used to be and she'd tell me I needed to be grateful Abdul was working so hard and be a good wife to him. In other words, she told me to hold my tongue and be submissive. But things just kept getting worse between us until Abdul and I were yelling at each other in front of the baby. That was my last straw and I even started packing mine and Yusef's things prepared to leave. My mother intervened and soon so did his mother and we were nearly dragged to counseling.

"When Abdul and I finally stopped arguing and started talking, we were finally able to understand one another for the first time since we got married. I'd told Abdul how I felt; that I felt like he'd taken a step back from me when I became pregnant, I thought he didn't love me anymore and being in a strange country just made me feel worse. Abdul told me he was sorry he'd made me feel that way. He told me finding out I was pregnant hit him like a bullet. He told me he'd realized it wasn't just us anymore and he started paying more attention to what was going on. When it became clear to him our home was quickly turning into a dictatorship, he knew he couldn't let our son be raised like that. For the first time, I realized Abdul was terrified. More than he would ever let me see because he had to be a husband and show no fear. That's what his father always used to tell him. 'You are a man; you are a rock. Do not show fear. Fear is for women and children.'"

"So rather than let you see how scared he was.."

"He put up a wall," Diyanna finished. "We realized how much we love each other and we were finally to face these new challenges head on. Together. That's all I'd wanted. Being in America is terrifying. More so than being in Germany if I'm honest, but I understand Abdul better now just as he understands me better now."

"So you were able to go back to the way it was?" Roshad asked.

Diyanna smiled distantly and shook her head a little, "We could never be what we were. We used to be carefree teenagers. The counselor helped us rebuild our relationship and we fell in love all over again as adults with a son and responsibilities. Now? We're stronger than ever."

"That's wonderful," Roshad said, reciprocating her smile, but it quickly faded as he thought about Jaedynn.

He thought back to when they first met; back to their passionate love affair when she was pregnant with Kamron and Roshad had proclaimed proudly he'd be Kamron's father. He thought back to when they'd bought the house, when they'd had a Quileute ceremony, had Iman, then married again in Isfahan. Everything flashed before his eyes and he remembered how happy they were. He thought back to how she would look at him with love and longing. He'd give anything for her to look at him that way again. He'd relinquish his power, be rid of all his worldly goods: anything. If only she would forgive him.

"Roshad?" Diyanna said when Roshad had begun to stare at the ground in front of him sorrowfully, "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it? Take it from me: sometimes it's good to just talk."

"No," Roshad said, "thank you, Diyanna. I mean that." Roshad grabbed one of the glass containers of saffron. It was 150 grams of saffron; the largest of the containers he'd made and the most extensive. Then he offered it to her. "Just as a thank you for listening."

"What listening? I did all the talking," Diyanna said nervously and then looked at the glass container. "Roshad, I'm afraid I can't afford that much saffron."

"Of course you can. It's my treat," Roshad said.

"Roshad, no," Diyanna said, shaking her head, "I can't possible accept this. You're being too kind."

"Please, Diyanna, I insist," Roshad said. "And if Abdul asks, tell him I made you clean the house to earn it or something." Diyanna hesitated a moment before accepting the glass container.

"At least let me give you something for this. I have two dollars with me," Diyanna said.

"Absolutely not," Roshad said with a gentle smile. "And if you try to give me money, I will give it back." This time, Diyanna giggled a little and she got a little teary eyed as she looked at the container.

"Thank you, Roshad. I swear you're a saint," Diyanna said.

"Not at all," Roshad said, "just appreciative to have a friend to talk to."

Diyanna's smile broadened a little, "Likewise." Then she stood. "I suppose I should get going. Thank you again for the saffron, Roshad."

"It was my pleasure," Roshad said. "I'll show you out."

"No, that's alright. I'll walk myself out," she said. "I'll see you again after the holiday?"

"Absolutely," Roshad said.

Diyanna retreated upstairs just as Jaedynn was coming into the house with the kids. The kids all rushed downstairs to greet Roshad while Diyanna and Jaedynn looked at one another. Diyanna smiled and bowed her head. Jaedynn nodded back at her then retreated upstairs with her overnight bag. Diyanna watched after her and could feel the melancholy radiating from Jaedynn. Diyanna looked over her shoulder to the basement then back up the stairs and silently prayed for Roshad and Jaedynn to work everything out.

Jaedynn and the kids stayed at the house throughout the Thanksgiving holiday. Jaedynn had intended to stay with the tribe but Nathan practically kicked her out telling her she needed to let the kids enjoy Thanksgiving at home with Roshad. Roshad made Fesenjan for dinner with plenty of rice and side dishes for the kids to eat as well as loads of homemade gaz. He ensured there was plenty left over to give to Diyanna along with a recipe for the candy so she could make it at home if she wanted. Sunday after Thanksgiving, Jaedynn took the kids back to the tribe so they could start back up at school on Monday. When people came to his house for their English lessons with Rashida, he handed out all the gaz and told Diyanna he'd saved a bag for her. Before she left, he gave that to her along with the recipe.

"I promise it's not as hard as it sounds," Roshad promised as Diyanna was reading the recipe. "But remember that sugar will be scalding hot so this isn't something to let Yusef help with."

"Definitely not," Diyanna agreed. 'Thank you, Roshad. I'll try making some this week and I'll let you know how they turn out."

"I can't wait," Roshad smiled.

That weekend, Diyanna made two attempts to follow Roshad's recipe. The first time, the sugar seized on her and she had to get rid of it but the second time she managed to whip the molten sugar into the egg whites achieving the nugget texture she wanted. Then she put chopped almonds into the candy. She'd really wanted pistachios but they were too expensive compared to the almonds so she told herself it would have to do. On top of that, she'd been unable to find rose or orange blossom water for the life of her so when she'd returned to Roshad's house for her English lessons, he gave her a generous helping of each making sure they were labeled and everything. The entire group ended up asking for some rose and orange blossom water. Then they were asking for nabaat, pomegranate syrup, then they started requesting tea leaves they used to buy in Iran and the list went on. So he told everyone to give him their grocery lists, he'd give them a quote for the shipping and other expenses and they could adjust from there.

"I must say, Roshad," Bastet said while the two of them were on their weekly call, '"You've certainly found a way to take a negative and turn it into a positive."

"I'm afraid I can't take credit," Roshad said. "This opportunity just fell into my lap. Besides, right now all I'm getting are quotes. They may very well say it's too expensive."

"There may be some, but it doesn't hurt to plant the seed of being a reliable grocer," Bastet answered and made Roshad chuckle. "So are Jaedynn and the kids still at the tribe?"

"Yes," Roshad said in a sad, low voice. "They will be back on Friday night."

"They're spending Christmas in the city with you right?"

"Nathan told me he's going to insist she does last I spoke with him but I don't think Jaedynn wants to," Roshad said.

"So nothing's changed?" Bastet asked hesitantly. Roshad gently shook his head and in spite of not seeing it, the silence on the other end of the phone was all the answer he needed. "Roshad, have you tried talking to her?"

"Not in a long time," Roshad said. Another brief silence passed.

"I think it may be time you did," Bastet said. "I know we've all told you to give her some space, but clearly that's not working."

"Diyanna suggested counseling," Roshad said, having already told Bastet who Diyanna is.

"I think that's a great idea," Bastet agreed. "I think you need to talk to Jaedynn, ask her to come with you to counseling – I'm sure Edward would be happy to help – and actually talk this out. Either that or agree to get a divorce and be done with it."

"No," Roshad said adamantly and with more passion than he'd expressed in a long time, "I won't ask for a divorce. I don't want to lose her, Bastet. I want her forgiveness. I don't care what it takes."

"Then you'd best hop into action," Bastet said. Roshad nodded weakly to himself but was extremely quiet otherwise. "It'll be alright, Roshad. Just talk to her. The two of you can't keep putting yourselves through this."

"I know," Roshad said. "When she comes home, I will talk to her."

"Good," Bastet said. "Take Diyanna's advise and go to counseling together. I think it'll do the two of you a lot of good."

"Thank you, Bastet," Roshad said. "For listening and for helping me fill these orders."

"Happy to help. Should I call again tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'll finalize everything and I'll let you know what orders are staying and what's going."

"I look forward to it," Bastet answered and the two of them ended their call.

The next day, Roshad finalized everything with anyone who wanted to place an order, let them know the cost and worked with them to decide what they wanted to proceed to order and what they would either forgo or save for another time. He assured everyone they didn't owe him anything until they had their products just in case something got lost in transit. That night when Bastet called, Roshad put all the orders in and he could expect everything to come in by end of December. When school let out for the kids, Nathan insisted once again that Jaedynn take the kids back home. They would come back for Christmas Day but they needed to spend the rest of the holiday at home. The kids were thrilled to be home as they always where when they returned.

Leading up to Christmas, people continued coming to the house for their English lessons and to purchase saffron from Roshad or make an order for other things if they either had the funds for something they wanted from Iran or had just found out this was a service Roshad was now offering. The week before Christmas, all the orders came in and he started handing everything out after Rashida's lesson was over.

"Finally, my favorite tea," Diyanna said when Roshad handed her a box of the loose tea. Roshad also handed her bottles of rose and orange blossom water and finally a bottle of pomegranate syrup. "Thank you again for all this."

"It's no trouble," Roshad said. "I'm happy Abdul likes the gaz you made."

"Me too," Diyanna smiled. "I was beginning to get tired of listening to him complain about the Italian Nougat 'not being the same'."

Roshad chuckled, "I'm afraid I'm the same way with cologne and soaps. What I could get here just isn't the same as what I get in Iran."

"I still haven't found a perfume I like that I can afford," Diyanna said. "I was tempted to order some perfume, but it would've been too expensive."

" Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know," Roshad answered.

"I absolutely will," Diyanna said then returned upstairs. She noticed Jaedynn sitting at the kitchen table with Ashti and the kids while they were coloring. Jaedynn was focused on the kids but Diyanna could see a distant look in her eye. Jaedynn looked up and their eyes met and it was an awkward moment of Jaedynn wondering why Diyanna was staring at her before Diyanna finally stopped staring and left the house.

At this point, Nesia was still very pregnant and seemingly showing no signs of going into labor. Kyle continued to monitor her and make sure the baby was okay. The closer her due date approached, Saraya became impatient and started poking Nesia's belly telling her little brother, "Come out, DJ!" Ahiga had to tell Saraya if she kept doing that, she would scare her little brother and he might never come out so she needed to be nicer. Travis and Oscar came to Washington for Christmas this year and were surprised to see Nesia still pregnant.

Nesia started feeling contractions around Christmas but they were nothing like when she'd had Saraya. The contractions could be considered a mild inconvenience more than truly painful. Ahiga told Oscar about Saraya 'bullying' her little brother into coming out and Oscar couldn't resist poking fun at her for it. Jaedynn came back to the tribe with Roshad and the kids Christmas day staying the entire day. Afterwards, Jaedynn and the kids returned home with Roshad although Jaedynn stayed in the backmost seat. Roshad had spent the past several days trying to find a time to talk to Jaedynn about the two of them maybe enlisting Edward's help and getting counseling, but she was downright unapproachable most of the time. He'd decided, though, tonight he would bring it up no matter what. When they made it back home, the kids were exhausted and were brought straight to bed for the night. After the kids were tucked in, Jaedynn went to their bedroom and Roshad followed after her.

It was extremely awkward. Jaedynn noticed Roshad come into the bedroom with her but did not acknowledge him. Instead she went straight into the bathroom while Roshad went to the closet to change into his night clothes. This was part of the routine: ignoring one another while they got ready for bed. Roshad would go downstairs and Jaedynn would stay in their bedroom. This time, though, after Roshad was ready for bed, he sat on the edge of the bed waiting for Jaedynn to come out. When she did, she didn't seem to notice him and went to her vanity to wash her face and brush her teeth. She looked in the mirror and saw Roshad sitting on the bed and that's when she finally seemed to acknowledge his presence, but it was brief. She finished getting ready and finally came to bed going straight to her side and getting under the covers.

"Jaedynn?" Roshad said, "Can we talk?"

"About what?" Jaedynn asked.

"About us," Roshad answered and Jaedynn stayed silent. "Jaedynn, I'm trying to give you space, but this isn't working. We're just growing further apart and it's not just between us anymore. Kamron's starting to ask me questions about why we're acting the way we are."

"What do you mean he's asking you questions? What are you telling him?"

"I told him you and I are still grieving over losing Nasir and we just needed time to heal," Roshad answered.

"Okay," Jaedynn answered as she calmed down a little.

"Jaedynn, my point is what we're doing isn't working," Roshad said. "I can't keep doing this. WE can't keep doing this. I think it's time we sought help."

"What help?"

"Counseling," Roshad said. "Diyanna suggested it might be worth it for you and I to go to counseling."

"Diyanna?" Jaedynn asked as she started to get defensive. "What does Diyanna have to do with any of this?"

"She asked me if there was something wrong between you and I and –"

"That's none of her fucking business!" Jaedynn rose her voice.

"Jaedynn she asked me out of concern," Roshad said, trying to remain calm. "I didn't tell her much of anything but she did tell me about how her and Abdul sought counseling and it helped them a lot." She didn't answer him. Instead, she turned away staring at the covers she was sitting under. "Jaedynn, please," he continued when she was quiet too long, "I love you. I want us to stop ignoring our problems and work through them. I want us to be again."

"I don't want to talk about this right now, Roshad," Jaedynn said and laid down on her side so her back was to him.

"Jaedynn, please," he pleaded.

"I said I don't want to talk about this right now," Jaedynn repeated with a weak voice as she was holding back tears.

Roshad wanted to press, but he realized if he did he would only make things worse. She wasn't willing to talk to him and he wouldn't be able to force her to. So Roshad finally left their bedroom to retreat downstairs to the prayer room for the night while Jaedynn stayed in bed. Roshad felt defeated as he tried to go to sleep on the floor of the prayer room. Jaedynn, meanwhile, began silently crying after Roshad had left their bedroom. Jaedynn wasn't ready to talk to him. She still felt that overwhelming hurt and anger from being left to deal with their son's death alone. It had completely eroded her trust and she didn't know when she would be able to forgive him. That time certainly wasn't now. She fell asleep eventually after spending nearly an hour crying.

The next few days were really quiet. No one came over for English lessons since there was a holiday and the kids spent that time joyously playing with their toys on the living room floor. Ashti pressed the children to go outside and play so they could get some exercise and Ashti sat on a lawn chair on the porch of the front door watching the children play in the snow building a snowman and having an uncoordinated snowball fight. A few neighbor kids joined in on the excursion and Kamron playing with the older kids hiding behind trees and cars having an all out brawl with the other kids.

Navid and the others wanted to play with Kamron so they got involved in the snowball fight and Maleek tried, but the snow was hard for him to maneuver through the snow. Then Navid threw a snowball aiming for one of the kids, that kid dodged and hit Maleek right in the face making him fall on his butt and start crying. Ashti rushed to him brushing snow off his face and drying him up while Navid rushed over to say he was sorry. Ashti brought Maleek back inside so he could warm up and Roshad made him some gold milk to make him feel better while Ashti returned outside to continue looking after the kids.

At the tribe, Nesia had still not gone into labor but she was starting to experience more painful contractions. Finally, on New Year's Eve, the contractions were more frequent and it was clear she was going to have the baby very soon so Kyle insisted she stay home and was with her and Ahiga throughout most of the day. Haseya had come over to the house when she heard the news Nesia was finally in labor and Boss came to the house along with her.

"Boss?" Ahiga said when he came downstairs to welcome Haseya, not expecting Boss, "what are you doing here?"

"I was just here to bring you a few things," Boss said quickly and handed Ahiga a folder with some hotel information. "It's not for a while, but this is where we're staying for your next fight."

"You mean the one in March?" Ahiga asked and took the folders.

"Yes, exactly," Boss said, "the organizers of the event are already sending out accommodations."

"Well that's nice of them," Haseya said. "So how's Nesia?"

"She's doing alright for now but I'd better get back upstairs. Thanks for bringing this over, Boss," Ahiga said and guided Haseya inside. She discreetly waved goodbye to Boss before he left and remained at the house the rest of the day.

It was several more hours before there was finally any meaningful progress. She was starting to dilate and the contractions were closer together but she wasn't able to finally start pushing until the wee hours of New Year's Day. Haseya and Natalie were sleeping on the couch downstairs while Ahiga was in the bed behind Nesia once Kyle had given the instruction she could finally start pushing. Finally, at 5 in the morning on January 1st, 1980, Nesia delivered a healthy baby boy: Dauer Jacob or DJ as they'd been calling him. Suerro made the call that DJ was born and news spread around the tribe like wildfire. Immediate family came to the house a few hours later to meet the new addition and Ahiga was downstairs with everyone while Nesia was upstairs sleeping off the last few hours.

"He's a cute kid, Ahiga," Oscar said when it was finally his turn to hold DJ. He looked so much like Ahiga but Nesia's nose and eyes graced his face. At the moment, he was asleep without a care in the world. "When did you say he was born?"

"At 5 this morning," Ahiga said.

"Oh," Oscar said and then chuckled gently, "I'm so sorry, Ahiga."

"Why?"

"DJ was born January 1st, 1980," Oscar said.

"Yeah," Ahiga said, not knowing where Oscar was going with this.

"He was born in 1980," Oscar said again, "So you won't be able to list his birth on your '79 tax returns." When Oscar clarified that, Ahiga finally remembered why they'd been really hoping DJ would be born in December.

"Fuck!" Ahiga yelled and Oscar started laughing. The commotion woke DJ and he started to whimper and squirm.

"Ahiga, you're upsetting the baby," Haseya scolded.

"Relax, mom, he doesn't care," Ahiga groaned and looked at DJ. He was starting to calm back down and looked ready to fall back asleep. Then he sighed heavily and gently rubbed DJ's head. "God damn it," he said.

"There's always next year's tax returns, Ahiga," Oscar teased.

"Shut up," Ahiga mumbled. Despite his little outburst, Ahiga got over it rather quickly and started holding DJ after he'd been passed around for everyone to see.

After the New Year, Jaedynn took the kids back to the tribe so they would be ready to pick back up at school. Since their 'talk' Roshad and Jaedynn hadn't spoken at all. Things were more awkward than ever and his demeanor since that night went deeper into melancholy. He handled things as best he could hiding his sorrow from those that came to the house but Diyanna, observant as ever, noticed right away. The instant she could meet him in the prayer room with no one to hover, she went down seeing him updating his paperwork so he knew how much saffron he had left and when he would need to add more.

"Roshad?" Diyanna said and got his attention.

"Diyanna," Roshad said and put down the chart he was working on, "how are things? Did you need more saffron?"

"No, not right now," Diyanna said. "This was our first Christmas in America. Abdul wanted so badly to make sure Yusef had a good Christmas. He saved all month to buy him a Speak and Spell."

"We got Maleek one of those," Roshad chuckled. "How much do you hate that thing already?"

"I'm burning it the instant he outgrows it," Diyanna giggled.

"The Star Wars figures are much more agreeable," Roshad said. "The only noise is what comes from the kids. Sherry and Iman got a Farrah Fawcett Glamour Center. They've had that thing a few days and she's already a mess."

Diyanna giggled again, "They'll never learn how to do their hair and makeup if they don't practice, right?"

"They're too young for that," Roshad complained with a light smile.

After a brief silence, Diyanna asked, "How was your Christmas? Your wife isn't Muslim, right? She's Christian?"

"Her family is Catholic, yes," Roshad said. "Her grandparents host Christmas every year at their house and it's a big event. The whole tribe will go to the house, the kids get their presents, her grandparents make a big dinner for everyone and there's enough room for everyone to spend the night if they want."

"That sounds wonderful," Diyanna said. "So," she began but paused timidly a moment, "how are things with Jaedynn?"

"I would prefer not to talk about it," Roshad answered honestly.

"She's not open to counseling?" Diyanna asked.

"She told me she didn't want to talk about it and that was the end of the discussion," Roshad said. "We haven't really talked ever since."

"Roshad," Diyanna started and asked in the kindest, most sympathetic voice Roshad had heard in a long time, "What happened?"

"It's a very long story," Roshad said. "At the beginning for the Revolution, Jaedynn and the children were with me in Iran. We got mixed up in a protest that was going on in Tabriz and I rushed to get Jaedynn and the kids on a plane back home. I didn't go home with them."

"Why not?" Diyanna asked.

"I had personal matters," Roshad admitted shamefully. "That day was burned into my mind. All I felt was rage but there was nothing I could do about what happened."

"What do you mean? What happened?" Diyanna asked.

"I…." Roshad couldn't say it. Even now, when he thought of the accident the anger bubbled up again followed by the pain of his failure: failure to truly avenge his son, failure to be there for Jaedynn when she needed him most because of his own selfishness and his failure thus far to earn Jaedynn's forgiveness. It was overwhelming.

"Roshad?" Diyanna said when Roshad was visibly upset.

"I love her so much," Roshad said, "but nothing I've done has made things right. I stayed in Iran to help people get out but I wasn't by my wife's side to grieve with her."

"You helped people escape?" Diyanna asked wide eyed and Roshad nodded.

"It was the only thing I could do," Roshad said. "That day of the protest…..Jaedynn was pregnant. We were trying to get away from the protest but we got into an accident and…..Jaedynn lost the baby."

"Oh my God," Diyanna said, "Roshad, I'm so sorry." She came closer to Roshad and took a hand in hers. "Roshad, I'm so, so sorry," she continued.

"We found out it was a boy," Roshad said in a muted voice. "The doctors couldn't save him. His name would have been Nasir."

"Roshad," Diyanna said sympathetically and kept holding his hand to offer some miniscule amount of comfort.

"After we lost our son…..I was angry. This Revolution had taken my son from me before he'd ever had a chance. I needed to do something but all I could do was help people escape. I told myself it would undermine the new regime and it was all I could do.

It might take a year. It might take a day.

But what is meant to be will always find a way.

If hope is what you seek, come to

The place where the sun shakes

And the stone has cracked from His power."

"Place your request within the wall," Diyanna finished as her eyes widened even more, "And a sympathetic ear will hear your call." She released his hand as she stared at him. "You're…..you're Nasir Aziz?"

"That was the name I used, yes," Roshad admitted. "There was nothing I could do to change what happened. So I did what I could to honor our son's memory."

"My God," she started as tears began to form in her eyes. "Abdul told me," she started to continue, "He'd heard those rumors. He thought it was a long shot but he was desperate. We had no way to get everyone in our family out of Iran. We couldn't just abandon our parents…..he was sure it was a doomed endeavor but…..he'd returned to the wall and there was all this money and instructions. We were out of Iran within the week. Abdul always said he wished he could properly thank the man that helped us."

"You're safety and wellbeing is thank you enough," Roshad answered but his voice was still extremely weak from sorrow.

"No," Diyanna said as the tears started to fall from her eyes, "I don't know how we could ever repay you." She took his hand again and pressed a kiss to it before bowing down to the floor. "Thank you, Roshad," she said, "thank you for everything you've done." She got up from the floor and smiled at him. "I will tell Abdul. He will want to thank you as well."

"Please, Diyanna, there's no need to thank me," Roshad said. "I'm happy I could be of service."

"You really are a saint, Roshad," Diyanna said.

"I'm a man who sought revenge," Roshad said, "and in doing so, I lost everything."

"You haven't, Roshad," Diyanna said. "You're a hero. God will always reward acts of selflessness. It may take some time, but no good deed goes unrewarded by the hand of God."

Roshad finally smiled weakly, "I hope you're right, Diyanna."

Diyanna nodded, "If you ever need anything, let me know. Even if you just need someone to talk to. We're all here for you."

"Thank you, Diyanna," Roshad said. Diyanna's smile brightened and she came closer to give Roshad a hug. It took him by surprise but he reciprocated and patted her back. When she released him, she rubbed the tears away from her eyes.

"I'd best return home," Diyanna said. "Thank you again, Roshad. For everything."

"Thank you, Diyanna," Roshad said

Diyanna stood and finally walked out of the prayer room going up the stairs to leave. As she walked out of the house, Diyanna saw Jaedynn come into the driveway and step out to let the kids out of the car. The kids rushed into the house saying hello to her briefly as they ran past her. Jaedynn was coming up the walkway and Ashti was already approaching the house walking down the sidewalk fully covered.

"Diyanna?" Jaedynn said when she saw the woman and noticed she looked like she'd been crying. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Jaedynn," Diyanna said in a thick accent, "everything is fine." She looked over her should back at the house and smiled. It was a pleasant, appreciative smile, but what Jaedynn saw was a look that seemed dazed and miles away. When Diyanna looked at her again, she still had a pleasant smile on her face and her eyes were hooded. "Your husband; he is a God among men. You are very lucky."

Jaedynn looked at Diyanna strangely as she walked away to return to her car. Jaedynn stared after Diyanna trying to figure out what that had been about. The look on Diyanna's face when she'd looked over her shoulder at the house came back to her mind and she thought it looked romantic. Then she thought about a few nights ago when Roshad mentioned Diyanna. Then she remembered the many times she'd seen Diyanna coming back up from the prayer room alone. Her blood started to boil.

"Azizam?" Ashti said when she'd approached, "Is something wrong?"

"Ashti, take the kids to your condo," Jaedynn said in a seething, deep voice filled with rage.

"What? Why?"

"I said take the kids to your house!" Jaedynn screamed and looked at her. Ashti stood there stunned for a moment and while Ashti didn't strike Jaedynn, she did approach her.

"You will never speak to me that way again, Jaedynn," Ashti ordered. Jaedynn didn't reply, still in her fog of anger. The silence persisted before Ashti sighed. "Shall I keep them over night?"

"Please," Jaedynn replied. Ashti bowed her head and walked into the house. The kids were already in the prayer room hugging Roshad.

"Children," Ashti said, "Come. We're going to my house."

"What?" Roshad said and looked at her. "Maman, they just returned home."

"Yeah! We just got home!" Kamron whined.

"I know, but your maman says you need to come with me. You will be staying the night," Ashti said.

"But we want to stay home," Iman cried.

"Yeah, we want to stay home," Leo echoed and they were already starting to cry.

"Maman, why did Jaedynn tell you to take the children home with you?" Roshad asked.

"You will need to ask her, Roshad," Ashti said and herded the children up the stairs despite their protests.

Jaedynn was coming inside and the children started to beg her to let them stay home but she ordered them to go home with Ashti. Ashti walked away with the kids making the short walk back to her place and Jaedynn slammed the door closed when they'd left. Roshad came upstairs when he heard the door slam shut and when he saw the look of rage on Jaedynn's face, his own blood went cold.

"Jaedynn, what's going on?"

"I might ask you the same thing," Jaedynn said.

"What are you talking about?"

"I just came home to Diyanna approaching me after she was alone with you in my house and she tells me my husband is 'a God among men'."

"Jaedynn-"

"Roshad, whatever's going on between you and Diyanna, you need to tell me now," Jaedynn ordered.

"What? Jaedynn, there's nothing going on!"

"Don't lie to me, Roshad!"

"Jaedynn, I'm not lying to you!" Roshad yelled back. "She figured out I was the person who was helping some people flee Iran. Her family were among the people I assisted. She was only grateful."

"Yeah, I bet she was," Jaedynn said.

"Jaedynn, Diyanna and I are just friends," Roshad said. "You have my word there is nothing going on! You really think I would do something like that?"

"You abandoned me and our children for a year," Jaedynn accused but before she could continue, Roshad interrupted her.

"And I've said I'm sorry!" Roshad yelled. "I don't know what else to do except tell you I'm sorry! I've said I'm sorry countless times! What else do you want me to do, Jaedynn?! Just tell me what else I can do!"

"There's nothing you can do!" Jaedynn screamed at him. Any filter she had left was gone. She unloaded on him in a fit of anger she'd held in for months since his return. "Our son is dead, Roshad! I felt every moment of his passing and when I needed you – when our other children needed you – you stayed in Iran prioritizing your own fucking need for revenge! You left me! Now you're fucking around with another woman behind my back!"

"There is nothing going on!" Roshad screamed right back. By now, his own hurt feelings had taken over coupled with the pain he still felt over their loss. "I've told you I'm sorry a million times but all you've done is punish me for something I can't change! I confided in Diyanna about what's been going on! That's all that has happened! That's all the more that would ever happen! I don't want Diyanna – I want you! All I want is your forgiveness!"

"I wanted you by my side when I'd lost our son," Jaedynn bit back but this time in a quieted voice as the tears started to form in her eyes, "But you weren't there." That was all she said and, as far as she was concerned, that was the end of the discussion. She started to walk upstairs, but Roshad was at his wit's end. He wasn't going to let this happen.

"Jaedynn, stop!" he said as he rushed up the stairs after her. She ignored him as she continued up the stairs but once he'd made it to the top landing, he intercepted her and stood in front of her. "I'm done doing this, Jaedynn."

Before he could continue talking, Jaedynn said, "So am I! So just leave!"

"Jaedynn, I'm not going anywhere! I'm done acting like there's nothing wrong! I'm done lying to our kids and I'm done sitting around doing nothing while you keep pushing me away! I want to make things right but I can't do that if you keep stonewalling me!"

"What could you possibly do to make things right?!"

"You tell me!" Roshad yelled back. Jaedynn didn't answer. They stared at one another on that landing after finally reaching their mutual boiling points. Jaedynn started walking past him to go to their bedroom. Roshad turned and grabbed a hold of her hand, "Jaedynn, stop!"

"Don't touch me!" she screamed and forced her hand out of his. "I'm done talking, Roshad." Jaedynn turned to go to their bedroom and Roshad watched after her. He still couldn't believe what just happened. It really was his last straw but he realized he couldn't push now. He would call Edward and ask for help. He'd do whatever he needed to but right now, he needed to take a step back, but he couldn't do that without saying one last thing.

"Nothing's going on between me and Diyanna, Jaedynn," Roshad said again calmly. "I would never do that to you. I love you. I always will. I'm sorry for what I've done and I wish I could take it back, but I can't. Regardless, I won't give up on us, Jaedynn. You can be assured of that."

Having finally said his piece, Roshad retreated back downstairs while Jaedynn continued into their bedroom slamming the door behind her. She went into the bathroom and drew herself the hottest bath she could. She put floral oils in the tub making the room smell like lavender and gardenias to help calm her nerves but even the soothing feel of the water did little to help. Meanwhile, Roshad called the Cullen house and was able to get a hold of Edward. He let Edward know what happened and that, if Edward was able to, Roshad wanted to come to the tribe and wanted help getting Jaedynn to agree to counseling. Edward agreed he'd make Nathan aware too and would ensure they were able to work something out and make it so the two of them could sit down and talk. Failing that, Edward promised he'd talk to Jaedynn.

Knowing she would demand to know, Roshad called Ashti after speaking with Edward so he could explain what happened. He told Ashti why Jaedynn insisted on her taking the kids back home with her, he denied to Ashti there was anything going on with Diyanna and while Ashti believed him she did scold him for allowing himself to be alone with a young woman who was not his wife regardless of the innocence of the situation and, lastly, Roshad told Ashti he'd already spoken with Edward and fully intended to start counseling. Ashti agreed that was a good next step to take and said she would return the children home right after breakfast Saturday morning.

After their fight, they both stayed in what had become their respective spaces: Roshad in the prayer room and Jaedynn in their bedroom. When she'd gotten out of the bath, she dried off and got herself dressed in her pajamas. Then she came out of the closet into the bedroom seeing Roshad's desk and all the pictures above it. At the very end was Nasir's plaque. She walked up to it and touched it when she was close enough. She kept replaying the day of the accident in her head over and over thinking what she could have done to prevent his death. She thought she should never have left her seat, she thought she should have held on tighter at time of impact, she should have balled up to protect her stomach: literally anything. It didn't matter, though. She could think about what she 'should have done' until she drove herself mad; it wouldn't change Nasir was gone. He was gone.

Jaedynn realized she was crying and wiped the tears away as she walked away from Roshad's desk. She felt so drained and tired. She could barely keep her eyes open anymore. It was dark out now but it was only 8 in the evening. She didn't care. She just wanted to go to bed and sleep away the day pretending it had never happened. She got under the covers and did everything in her power not to think about Roshad or their fight. He was right. Deep down she knew he was right: she was punishing him. She was so angry with him and hurt that she wanted him to know how it felt. Perhaps that was childish. In fact, she knew it was, but she couldn't help how she was feeling. She couldn't stop her thoughts from wandering to what he said before she made it into their room. I won't give up on us, Jaedynn. You can be assured of that. Tears burned in her eyes again and she pushed his words out of her mind trying with all her might to fall asleep. It took a long time, but eventually she drifted into a dream.

She felt sunlight on her skin and opened her eyes. When she did, she was faced with white marble. She sat up and realized she was on the ground of the front garden of the palace in Tabriz. She looked up at the towering statues of Roshad's late sons then heard children laughing faintly. She looked in the direction of the laughter and saw her children, but they were statues too. Kamron was sitting on the lip of the fountain with a bright smile. Iman was sitting near him playing with a doll with Sherry sitting across from her playing with another doll. Navid, Leo, Mikie and Don were wrestling together and Maleek was standing nearby. Each marble statue was so lifelike. It was eerie. Then she noticed another statue but this one was different. Jaedynn stood from the ground to approach it and realized the statue didn't have a face. It was completely smooth with no features and looked to be just a little younger than Maleek.

Then Jaedynn heard the sound of footsteps running into the palace and when she looked up, there was a shadow that quickly disappeared from her view before she could see who it was. Then she heard, "Mommy!" coming from that direction. Her first thought was to say, "Maleek?" but the voice didn't sound quite like Maleek. The voice called out 'mommy' again and Jaedynn started running after the figure going into the palace. Once in the main entrance, she heard the footsteps running from upstairs. She rushed up the massive staircase and looked around once she was at the top landing trying to find whoever she was chasing after.

"Mommy!" she heard the voice again coming from her right.

Once she knew where the voice was coming from, Jaedynn kept running after the voice until she finally saw the figure she'd been chasing after when she made it to the master bedroom of the palace. The child's back was to her looking out onto the city through the open balcony. Jaedynn approached cautiously when the little boy didn't face her.

"Maleek?" she said again and finally the child turned to face her, but like the statue from the fountain, this child didn't have a face and it made Jaedynn gasp as she took several steps back. Worse yet, blood started to ooze from the faceless boy's forehead. As if out of nowhere, the child was covered by a shadow and when Jaedynn looked up, it was one of the nurses from the hospital. There was something strange about her, though. Something in her eyes frightened her and when Jaedynn saw that, she rushed out of the bedroom back the way she came.

She rushed through the palace trying to get away and back out. While going down the large staircase, Jaedynn tripped seemingly over nothing and tumbled down the stairs then rolled several times at the bottom of the stairs until she finally came to a stop. Her whole body was sore and when she looked up, she saw Roshad. He was in the distance and his back was to her. The palace seemed to fade into nothing and she was surrounded in blackness with Roshad being the only one she could see. Jaedynn tried to call out to him and crawl to him, but when she did, she felt intense, painful cramps that caused her to cry out. She started feeling blood flow from between her legs and when she looked down, she saw a pool of blood making her go wide eyed with horror. Then she started hearing crying as something emerge from the pool of blood.

Soon, she was able to see what it was: it was a baby. An underdeveloped baby that should've still been in the womb. Jaedynn was frozen in place for a moment unable to believe her eyes. When the baby was in full view, it looked up at her and she was faced with a pair of haunting hazel eyes. Then the baby continued to cry but it was a gargling, muddled cry and it started crawling its way through the blood right to Jaedynn. She was still frozen in place as she watched this baby approach her. There was such a distinct expression in the baby's eyes and she realized it was fear. Then she heard footsteps approach and when she looked up, it was the nurse again. Jaedynn realized she had a basket on her back now. It was a basket much like the one that was kept behind glass at the tribal school along with several other ancient artifacts. Before she could wonder why this woman would have a baby basket on her back, the nurse's face started to morph from a human face into something ghoulish and evil.

The woman's skin became ghastly pale and gray like that of a dead body. Her teeth changed to jagged edges and she increased in size. Her limps were lanky, her nails were like claws and she hunched over with a horrifying smile on her face. She reached behind her back to grab to basket off her back as Jaedynn shook with fear crying no over and over again as if the monster could be reasoned with. Once her basket was out and ready, the creature slammed it over the pool of blood where the baby seemed as though it were desperately trying to reach Jaedynn before the monster took him and all she could do was scream.

Jaedynn shot up in bed as she screamed and when she did, she realized she was back in her bedroom. It was completely dark in the room except for some moonlight peaking in through the closed curtains and she was completely alone. She forced her blankets off her and brought her hands between her legs as though she might find blood there but there was none. It had felt so real and she was still shaking. Jaedynn could already hear Roshad rushing upstairs but she couldn't move. Her whole body was shaking and she started crying.

"Jaedynn?!" Roshad said as he let himself into the bedroom and went right to Jaedynn. "Jaedynn, what's wrong? What happened?"

She couldn't answer him. All she could do was cry. Then she recalled the part of her dream where Roshad's back was turned to her. A fresh sting of betrayal overtook her and she forced herself out of Roshad's arms and retreated to their bathroom.

"Jaedynn, stop!" Roshad said and went after her. She slammed the door to their bathroom and locked it before Roshad could get to her. "Jaedynn," he said more calmly, "please. What's wrong?" She didn't answer. She only cried as she went to the tub sitting beside it huddling on the floor in one corner of the bathroom. "Jaedynn, let me in," he pleaded. When Roshad didn't hear her coming to the door to let him in, Roshad put his hand on the doorknob and changed it into something small so the lock was no longer secured. Once he could come in, he changed the knob back and went over to her.

"Leave me alone," Jaedynn cried but Roshad rushed to her and took Jaedynn in his arms.

"Jaedynn, it's alright; I'm here," he said soothingly. Jaedynn was trying to get out of his embrace but this time he wouldn't let her go. "I won't leave you," he said, "I'll never leave you again."

For some reason, those were the words that finally sank in and Jaedynn cried harder as she stopped fighting him and fell into his embrace so she could just cry. Now that she wasn't fighting him anymore, Roshad held her tighter letting her cry against his shoulder while he rubbed her back. He brought Jaedynn into his lap she he could hold her closer and they stayed that way for over an hour. Eventually Roshad carried Jaedynn out of the bathroom taking her to their bed and laid her down staying close to her. It was the first time in months they'd laid in bed together holding one another. Jaedynn continued to cry into Roshad's shoulder and Roshad kept holding her close.

"It was just a nightmare, Jaedynn," Roshad said soothingly. "It's over now. I'm here."

It was an hour before Jaedynn finally calmed down and was able to fall asleep. When she did, she was still in Roshad's arms. In the morning when Jaedynn woke up, she felt arms around her and she turned her head seeing Roshad behind her still asleep. It took a moment for her to remember what happened last night but once she did, she felt a chill go down her spine. She'd had dreams about what happened, but they've never been nearly as bad as last night. Then she remembered Roshad rushing into their bedroom then forcing his way into the bathroom to comfort her. At the time, she'd been so terrified and upset. Roshad said the words she'd wanted to hear and fallen into his arms, but now that it was morning, she was conflicted. For months, it had been too little too late. Now she didn't know what to feel. Then Roshad stirred and opened his eyes to look at her.

"Jaedynn?" Roshad said and sat up on his elbow, "are you feeling better?" All she could do was nod. Once she had, Roshad laid back down pulling Jaedynn against his chest holding her tighter. "I called Edward," Roshad said.

"What?"

"I called Edward," Roshad said again. "I asked him to sit down with us so we can talk." Jaedynn was quiet for a moment and when she was quiet for too long, Roshad said, "Jaedynn, please. I don't know what else to do." There was a moment of silence that passed between them again.

"When?" Jaedynn eventually asked. The original plan was Monday but now, Roshad wanted to start immediately.

"Now," Roshad answered quietly. When Jaedynn seemed like she might refuse, Roshad said, "Jaedynn, please. I want you and I to come out of this."

All Jaedynn did was nod. When she did, Roshad got out of their bed and went to get dressed. Then Jaedynn got dressed while Roshad called Ashti letting her know there was a change of plans and he was taking Jaedynn to the tribe this morning so they would be away most of the day. After that, the two of them got in Roshad's car and made the long drive to the tribe in complete, awkward silence. They went straight to the Cullen house and Edward was out there to meet them having already heard them coming. There was no small talk. Once they got out of the car, Edward led them inside through the house upstairs to Carlisle's office.

"Thank you for seeing us on such short notice," Roshad said once they were all alone.

"It's no trouble," Edward said and took a seat at Carlisle's office chair while Roshad and Jaedynn sat on one of the couches. Roshad sat down normally while Jaedynn was sitting as far away from him as the couch would allow. "Jaedynn?" Edward said so she would look up at him, "Can you tell us what happened last night?"

"I had a nightmare," Jaedynn answered simply but she knew it wasn't the answer he was looking for.

"What was that nightmare about?" Edward probed. Jaedynn stared at him awkwardly and her mind was screaming "I don't want to talk about it". Since she wasn't elaborating on her dream, Edward said, "Let's take a few steps back. When you returned home yesterday, Diyanna spoke to you right?"

"Briefly, yes," Jaedynn said.

"What did she say?" Edward asked.

Jaedynn took a deep breath, "She looked like she'd been crying so I asked her what was wrong. She told me my husband was a 'God among men' and looked back at the house with this dreamy look in her eyes."

"Jaedynn, I swear to you there was no 'dreamy' look," Roshad said. "She figured out I was helping people flee Iran and she and her family were among those I assisted. She was grateful for the assistance I offered. That is all. Nothing is going on between me and Diyanna and nothing ever will go on between us."

"How do I know that?" Jaedynn asked combatively.

"How do you know that?" Roshad asked in shock. "Jaedynn, I was celibate as a monk for 200 years! You really think I would have an affair and ruin our marriage?"

"You had no problem abandoning me and the kids after we'd just lost our son. You didn't think that would ruin our marriage?" Jaedynn bit back.

"Okay, let's return to what happened yesterday," Edward interrupted before Roshad could say anything. "Let's take this one step at a time. Now Jaedynn, aside from yesterday, what else happened that brought you to the conclusion Roshad's having an affair?"

"I'm not having an affair!" Roshad yelled as he stood.

"I know you haven't Roshad," Edward said calmly but Roshad was still upset and started pacing. "You still need to hear Jaedynn out. Both of you need to hear each other out. This defensiveness needs to end and the only way we're going to accomplish that is for the two of you to talk out how you're feeling. With that said, Jaedynn, please tell me what else led you to believe Roshad's having an affair?"

"I've noticed Diyanna going downstairs to the prayer room when it's just Roshad down there," Jaedynn said. "I hadn't thought about it at first but yesterday, she made it seem like maybe I should have." Roshad held his tongue trying to take Edward's advice but he continued to pace wanting so desperately to defend himself.

"Now, Roshad, you affirm there's nothing going on?"

"Nothing whatsoever," Roshad answered Edward. "Diyanna comes down to the prayer room to purchase saffron and occasionally she and I will talk. Our relationship is strictly platonic." Then, after making his proclamation, he realized he needed to speak directly to Jaedynn so he turned to look at her. "Jaedynn, I swear to you; on my life, there is nothing whatsoever going on between me and Diyanna. I would never do something like that to you."

"Jaedynn," Edward said stopping Jaedynn from remarking, yet again, on the year Roshad was away. "Is it fair to say Diyanna's not who you're really upset about?" Jaedynn stared at Edward for a moment then looked down at her knees before nodding her head awkwardly. "Okay," Edward said, relieved they were starting to get to the root of the problem, "seeing Diyanna's not the real issue here, let's talk about what is."

"I think it's pretty obvious what the real issue is," Jaedynn said snappishly. "After the accident, Roshad put me on a plane home without telling me what he was doing or when he was coming home and I was left alone to take care of our children while trying to cope with our son's death."

"And I've said I'm sorry," Roshad answered pleadingly, "but no matter how many times I've apologized, you won't forgive me!"

"I don't owe you my forgiveness!" Jaedynn snapped back. "You put strangers before your children and before me!"

"That's true, Jaedynn, you don't owe Roshad forgiveness," Edward stepped in while Roshad was staring at Jaedynn at a loss of what else to say, "But that's not what Roshad is saying. What he's saying is he doesn't know what else to do besides apologize. Now, during your fight yesterday, you told him there is nothing else he can do. Did you mean that?"

Edward knew the answer to that question. The issue was, at this point in time, Roshad didn't. When Jaedynn had said that, the words were like a dagger through his heart and his greatest fear was she meant those words. Jaedynn looked at Edward for a moment but she didn't look at Roshad. She'd said that in a fit of anger. She'd barely heard herself saying it but being reminded of it – she felt horrible for saying it. Jaedynn swallowed a lump that was forming in her throat and tried to take deep breaths.

"No," Jaedynn finally said, "I didn't mean that. I just don't know."

"You don't know what?" Edward encouraged.

"I don't know what else he could do," Jaedynn elaborated and rubbed a tear away before it could fall. Roshad wanted to say something but Edward silently directed Roshad to stay silent knowing she was going to start saying more. "Roshad, when our son died, I felt like I'd failed him. It was traumatizing and I needed you. I felt helpless and scared and when you put me on that plane by myself, I felt worse than ever. I felt alone." Edward nodded his head gently then turned his attention to Roshad.

"Roshad, why did you stay behind in Iran?" Edward prompted. Roshad glanced at Edward who gestured for him to go ahead and speak. Roshad looked at Jaedynn again and took a seat on the couch again.

"I felt like I failed our son," Roshad finally said, echoing Jaedynn's feelings. "I couldn't prevent what happened and I can't begin to imagine how it all felt for you. Losing our son, seeing you heartbroken like that…..it all enraged me. I wanted to avenge our son – I just didn't know how at the time. Once I found a way I could undermine the regime, I took it. I was blinded by rage and I put that anger before you. I know I was wrong." Roshad trailed off for a moment ready to say, again, that he was sorry but he suspected it was the last thing Jaedynn wanted to hear right now. She'd already heard it a million times.

"Roshad, do you feel like Nasir's death was your fault?" Edward enquired. Roshad nodded, but since Jaedynn wasn't looking at him, Edward encouraged Roshad to answer out loud.

"Yes," Roshad answered in a weak voice.

"Jaedynn?" Edward said and waited for her to look at him. "What about you?" Jaedynn was starting to shake a little and tears were forming in her eyes. Eventually she nodded but Roshad was looking at her so Edward didn't force her to verbalize her answer. "Jaedynn," Edward said, "you've been having nightmares. Can you tell me about them?" Jaedynn didn't answer right away but when she did, she was impossibly quiet.

"They've been about the accident mostly," Jaedynn said, "but last night was different."

"How so?"

"I dreamed I was at the palace in Tabriz," Jaedynn answered. "All our children were statues but there was one without a face. I heard a child cry out for me and it sounded like Maleek. I saw this shadowy figure run into the palace and I chased after it. Once I caught up, the child I'd been chasing didn't have a face. Then he started bleeding from the head…..I ran away but when I was going down the stairs, I tripped and tumbled down. When I got to the bottom, Roshad's back was to me, I felt blood pooling between my legs and then…..this figure started to come out of the blood. It was a baby but….not a fully formed baby. It had," she was about to say it had Roshad's eyes but she stopped. This time, Edward didn't encourage her to continue.

"Neither of you are at fault for what happened," Edward said. "What happened to Nasir was tragic to be sure, but the two of you should not blame yourselves for it." Edward paused a moment allowing his words to sink in. "The two of you have been grieving separately and in very different ways. I think it's time the two of you finally grieved together. Once you've done that, I want the two of you to rebuild your trust in one another." For the first time since arriving, Jaedynn looked at Roshad and their eyes met. She realized she couldn't remember the last time she'd looked Roshad in the eye. Certainly not since they parted ways at the airport. "If it would be alright, I would like to speak with you both separately. Jaedynn? May we speak privately?"

Jaedynn looked back at Edward then finally nodded her head gently. Roshad walked out of the room going downstairs to be as far away from the office as possible so Edward and Jaedynn could speak privately. Once he was far enough away that he wouldn't hear anything, Edward left Carlisle's office chair and went to the couch so he was sitting beside Jaedynn. It didn't matter that Edward could hear her thoughts and already knew what she was thinking. He needed to make her acknowledge her feelings.

"How are you feeling right now, Jaedynn?"

"I don't know," Jaedynn answered sincerely.

"When he first returned home, he was still sharing your bed," Edward said, getting straight to the point, "and you two said 'I love you' to one another. Why did that change?"

"I don't even remember anymore," Jaedynn admitted and started to choke up as everything was weighing down on her.

"Do you think you could forgive Roshad?"

"I don't know how," Jaedynn finally admitted.

"Well," Edward said, "the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. The second step to solving a problem is a willingness to do so. So that's what I would like for you to work on: work on breaking down this wall you've constructed and work with Roshad rather than against him. And like I mentioned earlier, grieve together. Instead of arguing with one another, talk through what happened. Comfort one another; do what the two of you should have been able to do from the beginning. Rebuild that trust you once had. If you can do that, I'm confident you and Roshad can come out of this horrible tragedy together." Jaedynn nodded awkwardly. She still felt so uncertain. A part of her wondered if it was too little too late. "It's never too late, Jaedynn," Edward answered having heard the thought cross her mind. "You still love one another very much so trust me: it's not too late."

Edward asked Jaedynn to leave the office and Roshad was brought back so they could have their own private conversation. Roshad didn't sit. He was restless and anxious about what Edward might say. Edward started by asking Roshad the same question he asked Jaedynn.

"How are you feeling right now?"

"Scared," Roshad answered and then rubbed his face as he tried desperately to hold himself together. "It is my fault Nasir's dead."

"Roshad," Edward began but he allowed Roshad the space to talk.

"No, Edward, it is," Roshad said. "I knew what was going on in Iran. I knew things were tumultuous but I was selfish. I wanted my wife and children at my side. I wanted to enjoy just a moment where nothing mattered except my family. It was my idea to go to Tabriz." He was choking up and he started shaking. "I'm the reason our son's dead."

"That's not true, Roshad," Edward said. "Remember what we talked about earlier: don't blame yourself for Nasir's death. You and Jaedynn need to grieve together and not blame yourselves for what happened. What I want you to do, Roshad, is I want you to focus on letting Jaedynn know that, in spite of what happened after the accident, you're here now and you're here to stay. You need to work on earning back her trust and remind her why she fell in love with you in the first place."

"So she doesn't love me anymore," Roshad said sorrowfully and stared at the floor.

"She loves you, Roshad," Edward said, "and she's willing to work through all this with you. You just need to be patient with one another and you'll need to rebuild your relationship. Regardless of the good that came out of your actions, there was a cost." Roshad looked at Edward thoughtfully then took his gaze away and continued to pace but more slowly. He thought about what to do. 'Remind her why she loves you,' he thought.

"Do you suppose a change of scenery would help?" Roshad asked.

"It might," Edward agreed. "You're right: you and Jaedynn need to get out of that house. It's turned into a war zone and you need a neutral space. Take the kids somewhere fun so you can all bond as a family again. I think that will do you and Jaedynn wonders."

Roshad nodded his head, "Okay. I'll think of something."

"Good," Edward said. "Next time you and Jaedynn want to talk, let me know. In the meantime, work on rebuilding trust and take Jaedynn and the kids somewhere all of you can bond. Take a long weekend together."

"Thank you, Edward," Roshad said.

"It's no trouble; I'm here any time you and Jaedynn want to talk again," Edward said.

Finally having a renewed hope, Roshad and Edward went downstairs where Jaedynn waited with everyone else in the house. Jaedynn and Roshad left together going to his car and started the drive back into the city. For the remainder of the drive, the two of them were quiet although, at least for Roshad, it wasn't nearly as unpleasant as it was before. Now he had hope everything would be alright. Once they returned home, Ashti and Rashida were there with the children who rushed to Roshad once he and Jaedynn came into the house. He told the children he and Jaedynn had needed to go to the tribe but there was nothing to worry about and they would be home the rest of the weekend.

When there was a moment they could speak privately, Ashti asked Roshad if everything was finally alright with him and Jaedynn, but all he could say was, "Not yet, but I think we're finally on the right track." Roshad focused on the children for the remainder of the day trying to make up for forcing them to leave the house suddenly. They played in the snow outside and Jaedynn was even outside but she stayed on the porch watching the kids with Roshad. Ashti didn't press Jaedynn for her to explain what happened and instead sat near her on the porch while Rashida prepared some things for dinner. Ashti and Rashida stayed at the house until it was time for the children to be tucked into bed.

Jaedynn gave Iman, Sherry and Maleek a bath in the children's bathroom while Roshad gave all the boys a bath in his and Jaedynn's bathroom so they would all be ready for bed around the same time. Once all the kids were cleaned and dressed for bed, Roshad got them all tucked in while Jaedynn got ready for bed. While Jaedynn was brushing her teeth, Roshad came into their bedroom and went to the closet to change into his night clothes. He went about his own nightly routine and Jaedynn went to their bed but once she was in their bed, she looked up at the plaque with their son's name. She lost all track of time just staring at that plaque mournfully and she didn't hear Roshad approaching the bed. He noticed Jaedynn was staring at the plaque and began looking at it as well.

"Do you want to keep that up?" Roshad asked and made Jaedynn look at him.

"Yes," Jaedynn finally answered and looked at the plaque again, "I want to remember him." Roshad nodded his head gently and approached their bed getting in beside her. She finally laid down in bed going under the covers. Roshad began to get under the covers but stopped.

"Would it be alright if I slept up here tonight?" Roshad asked.

"That's fine," Jaedynn answered quietly and Roshad got under the covers and turned off his bedside lamp. Once they were in bed, he stared at the ceiling unable to fall asleep. He could hear Jaedynn's breathing and could tell she wasn't asleep either. After nearly an hour of silence and neither of them falling asleep, Roshad turned his head to look at her. She still had his back to him.

"How often have you had nightmares about what happened?" Roshad asked. Jaedynn seemed briefly surprised to hear him speak but her back remained to him.

"Too often," Jaedynn said. "Normally I dream of the accident. Last night was the first time I dreamed I was at the palace….it was the first time I'd ever seen Dask'iya in my dream."

"You mean the child eating ogres?"

"Yes," Jaedynn said. "I dreamed of the nurse who'd taken Nasir when he'd left me. She turned into Dask'iya and slammed her basket over Nasir. That's when I woke up screaming." There was a moment of silence in which Roshad stared at Jaedynn with her back to him. She trembled as she recalled her nightmare and it hurt to see. Finally, Roshad reached his hand over and gently caressed his fingers over her back. She did not ask him to stop or move away from him.

"Nasir never received a proper funeral," Roshad finally said. "We never got to say goodbye." Jaedynn flinched when Roshad said that and started rubbing her eyes trying not to cry. "We might not be able to give him a burial, but we can at least put his soul to rest." Jaedynn sniffed harshly trying once again to force herself not to cry but it was useless. The tears feel and the moment she whimpered, Roshad came closer and wrapped his arms around her. "I'll start making arrangements so we can give Nasir a funeral."

"I don't want anyone there," Jaedynn said.

"You don't?"

"No," Jaedynn whimpered. "No one knew Nasir except us. We're all he had or ever knew. We're the only ones who need to say goodbye."

After a moment, Roshad said, "Alright," and then released Jaedynn and left their bed.

Jaedynn lifted her head wondering where he was going and she saw him walk to his desk and grab the plaque. Jaedynn sat up and Roshad approached her offering his hand. She accepted and the two of them walked quietly through the house until they reached the prayer room. Roshad put Nasir's plaque on the little mount holding the Quran which was already sitting atop white fabric. Roshad took Jaedynn's hand and began a prayer but it was in Farsi. Jaedynn kept her head down and eyes closed while Roshad spoke. She assumed he was saying a prayer from the Quran. As he spoke, tears continued to form. She opened her eyes and looked at the plaque with his name – the only part of him they had left. Once Roshad finished his prayer, Jaedynn began hers. She barely remembered the proper prayer, so she made it up from what she could remember.

"Grant him merciful rest, o Lord, and let light always shine on him," she said, forcing herself to speak through her tears. "May his soul through the mercy of God rest in peace. I release you to the arms of the savior and may He, Mary and all the angels welcome you with open arms." Jaedynn couldn't finish as she started to cry all the more. Roshad wrapped an arm around her and Jaedynn just cried.

It was just like the night at the hospital. Jaedynn cried while Roshad held her all the while saying nothing else but this time, they were truly saying goodbye. No matter how much it hurt, they needed to let Nasir go and move on. This would be their first step. It wasn't much, but in just those few moments they both felt this weight come off their shoulders. Neither was any less heartbroken for their loss, but at least they were allowing him to finally be at peace. They remained in the prayer room for well over an hour grieving together; exactly what they should have done from the very beginning. When Jaedynn finally fell asleep, Roshad carried her upstairs to their bedroom and got them both into bed.

The next morning, Roshad was up early as always and had breakfast ready by the time the children were awake. Jaedynn slept in much longer than she normally would and Roshad did not go upstairs to wake her wanting to allow her some much deserved sleep. When she did finally wake up, she felt refreshed for the first time in over a year. She sat up and looked towards Roshad's desk but quickly noticed Nasir's plaque wasn't there. Then she remembered last night and she felt an ache in her chest. She did not regret giving Nasir a funeral no matter how small but she still felt that pain. She sat in bed for a while thinking to herself until she heard footsteps coming up the stairs approaching their room. The door opened slowly and when Roshad saw Jaedynn was awake, he quickly stepped in and closed the door behind him.

"How did you sleep?" Roshad asked as he approached the bed then sat on the edge near her feet.

"Alright," Jaedynn said. "The children had breakfast?"

"Yes," Roshad said, "they're playing in the front yard right now." Jaedynn nodded her head gently while staring down at the comforter. "I want to take us all somewhere as a family; somewhere the children can have a good time and we can all just relax."

"Where?" Jaedynn asked and looked up at him.

"I was thinking somewhere warm," Roshad answered. "Maybe we can go somewhere with a beach."

"Maybe," Jaedynn said quietly. "When did you want to do all this?"

"As soon as possible," Roshad said. "I think we all deserve some time away." Jaedynn thought about it for a moment before nodding gently.

"I'll trust your judgment," she said.

She didn't seem excited with the idea but Roshad did not let that discourage him. This was as much for their children as it was for them. Roshad agreed he'd take care of the details and for the remainder of that week while Jaedynn and the kids where back with the tribe, Roshad did some research. He reached out to Ada María hoping she might be able to recommend somewhere but, of course, her recommendation was Brazil. She reminded Roshad that, when Jaedynn and the kids were younger, they would all go to Brazil as a family all the time and with that, it seemed like the perfect place. So Roshad made the arrangements. Two weeks later on Friday right when the kids and Jaedynn returned home, he announced to them they would all be going to Rio de Janeiro. They would leaving the following Saturday and would be in Brazil for the week and returning on Sunday.

"Oh, Rio de Janeiro," Ada María said with a pleasant sigh when Jaedynn told her that Monday. "I haven't been to Rio de Janeiro in years." Then something occurred to her. "You've never taken the children to Brazil have you, Mija?"

"No, we've never gone to Brazil as a family," Jaedynn said while she sat on the couch in the living room waiting for Ada María to finish making coffee. "Last time I was in Brazil was summer after high school."

"Too long," Ada María lamented. Once the coffee finished brewing, she poured Jaedynn a cup, added a splash of milk while staring Jaedynn down with teasing disapproval. "Remember you must not ask for milk in your coffee while you're in Brazil."

"I won't, mom," Jaedynn promised and accepted her cup when Ada María handed it over. She sat on the couch beside Jaedynn with her own cup of black coffee.

"Did Roshad tell you he invited me and your father?"

"He did?" Jaedynn asked with surprise.

"Yes – practically begged us to join you in fact," Ada María said. "If you want my honest opinion, I think Roshad wants the extra adult supervision for the kids so you and he can," Ada María looked at Jaedynn pleasantly, "'work things out' if you know what I mean."

"Mom, please," Jaedynn said with a light sigh, "I'm not feeling romantic right now."

"Well sure, you aren't now," Ada María said, "but I think you owe it to yourself for that to be a possibility. I don't want you going on this trip thinking this is only for the kids. This is also meant to be a chance for you and Roshad to start fresh." Although she was still apprehensive, Jaedynn finally nodded her head in agreement.

"You're right," Jaedynn said. "Thank you for coming with us."

"It's always a pleasure to go back home," Ada María said and gave Jaedynn a kiss on the cheek.

Then on Friday after Kamron and Iman finished school for the day, Jaedynn drove into the city with the kids and as had become the norm, Roshad was in the kitchen making Ghormeh Sabzi for dinner. After dinner, they all started getting packed for their trip and the kids were really, really excited. They were all bouncing off the walls barely able to contain themselves until they finally tired themselves out and went to bed. Rashida had agreed she'd keep things going along as usual while they were away. Roshad had told Diyanna about the trip and had confided in her about the reason behind it as everything that happened leading up to the trip. Diyanna apologized profusely for ever giving Jaedynn the wrong impression and wishing Roshad all the luck in the world promising she would be praying for them.

On Saturday morning, they all left for the airport and met Nathan and Ada María there before going to drop off their luggage, presenting their tickets and passports then waiting to board their plane. Once they could board, they took up most of first class save for one older couple who did not look happy to see several children sitting in first class with them. Luckily for them, then kids slept through most of the flight and they landed in Rio de Janeiro by the following morning. By the time they got off the plane, everyone was groggy and jet lagged and were eager to relax. Once they retrieved their luggage, they all went outside and Nathan was prepared to hail a taxi but there was already a limousine outside with the driver standing towards the front holding a sign that said, "Famille Javadi".

"You ordered a limousine?" Nathan asked.

"Of course," Roshad answered and Nathan suddenly wondered why he was even surprised.

The limo brought them straight to their hotel which was close to a gorgeous sandy beach already filled with people out sunbathing, playing soccer and all manner of other activities. They got checked in and went up to their rooms with the kids wanting to be awake but being far too tired. So when they'd finally located their rooms, the kids all went right into bed to sleep. Maleek was in Jaedynn's arms already sound asleep. Ada María, by contrast, immediately started getting ready to go to the beach having not had the pleasure of basking in the sun for a while. Nathan agreed to join her and the two retreated downstairs, across the street and to the beach finding a perfect spot to just lay in the sun. Nathan had made a point to bring his guitar so once they were on settled, Nathan started to play for them and it was just like old times.

"Do you remember when we first met?" Nathan asked as he gently plucked the strings.

"Of course I do," Ada María smiled as she was lying on the blanket sunbathing in her tiny string bikini. "You came to my bar, I saw you from the stage and I remember thinking to myself, 'I'm having that man tonight'."

Nathan chuckled, "I remember thinking something more romantic; like, 'At last I've met you'." They both laughed a little and Ada María reached her hand over so she was touching Nathan's knee. He continued to play even as her hand began to trail over his thigh seductively. "Has it really been 40 years since we met?"

"39, my love," Ada María answered lovingly.

"Sorry," Nathan said with a smile, "time just flew by."

"It flew by once you were back from the war," Ada María said. "Before that, time was stagnant; always wondering if you were alright, wondering when or even if you would come home…..my greatest fear was you might never meet our son."

"What matters is I came home," Nathan said, continuing to pluck the strings of the guitar. "Do you ever regret leaving Brazil to be with me?"

"Never," Ada María answered. "When I'd thought I lost you, nothing else seemed to matter."

"Even when you found out about Jaedynn?" Nathan asked sincerely.

"I never blamed you for that," Ada María said and finally sat up from the blanket to scoot closer to Nathan. "You were honest with me about what happened. I only cared about you coming home. If a drunken fuck happened along the way, to me that didn't matter. Besides, I was happy have a daughter. Never thought I would be, but I was."

Nathan smiled lovingly at her, "Me too." Ada María leaned over and the two of them shared a kiss before she laid back down on the blanket to continue sunbathing. "Do you think after this everything will be alright again?" he asked, referring to Jaedynn and Roshad.

"I think it will," Ada María answered confidently. "God bless the poor girl: she's stubborn as a mule. Gets that from you I'm afraid."

"That's rich coming from you, Ada," Nathan teased.

"Me? Stubborn?" Ada María feigned offense. "How dare you? I am a shining example of compromise and flexibility."

"You look me in the eye and say that with a straight face, Ada," Nathan challenged and Ada María was about to do just that but as soon as their eyes met, she started laughing and Nathan quickly joined her.

"Fine, she gets it from both of us," Ada María admitted, "but regardless, everything will work out. I told her not to think of this as a family trip so much as a chance at a fresh start and I think she took my advice to heart."

"Good," Nathan said and, wanting to lighten the mood, he continued with a smile, "I want our house back to ourselves."

"Amen, my love," Ada María said with a heavy groan and Nathan started laughing again.

After spending hours sunbathing on the beach, Nathan and Ada María returned to the hotel just in time for everyone to start getting ready for dinner. While the children had their own room, it was right beside Jaedynn's and Roshad's room. Jaedynn didn't stay in the same bed with Roshad that first night, though. They each stayed in separate rooms. Jaedynn took one room sharing it with Maleek, Iman and Sherry while Roshad took the other room sharing it with Kamron, Leo, Mikie, Don and Navid.

The following day after they'd all finally gotten plenty of rest, the first thing they all did was get in their swimsuits and run to the beach. Never one to forfeit a chance to play soccer, Roshad brought a soccer ball with and was playing with the kids using mounds of sand as their goals. Nathan and Jaedynn sat back while Roshad and Ada María played soccer with the kids. Maybe it was the hot sun or the sound of the beach, but it was the first time in a while that Jaedynn watched Roshad with their children and actually smiled.

"That's what we've been waiting to see," Nathan said and grabbed Jaedynn's attention.

"What?"

"You were smiling," Nathan said. "It's been a while."

"Has it?" Jaedynn asked awkwardly then looked at Roshad and the kids again. Maleek was trying his damndest to keep up with everyone but his tiny legs just held him back. When it was clear he was getting frustrated, Kamron did his best to carry Maleek and would lean down once he was near the ball so Maleek could kick it.

"That's awful nice of Kamron," Nathan said with a light laugh.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think there's no way Alex was his father," Jaedynn said.

"Sometimes, all it take is a positive example," Nathan said. He looked at Jaedynn who'd become thoughtful.

"Kamron's certainly had that," Jaedynn finally said.

"Most definitely," Nathan said. He followed Jaedynn's gaze and saw she was watching Roshad. There still seemed to be a distant sadness in his eyes, but he was going out of his way to have fun with the children. From the very beginning, he'd been hell bent on making sure the children were as protected from what was going on as possible.

"Mommy!" Sherry screamed and it got Jaedynn's immediate attention, but when she say Sherry running over, the little girl was all smiles. Once she'd made it to the blanket, she grabbed Jaedynn's hand and started pulling. "Play with us, mommy! Baba and grandma aren't playing fair!"

"You know better than to lie, mija!" Ada María called out but continued playing.

"Why do you say your grandma and baba aren't playing fair? I thought baba was on your team," Jaedynn said.

"No, baba and grandma are a team," Sherry said. "Mommy, please come play!"

"Mommy, come play!" Navid called out and soon all the kids were begging her to join them.

"Sherry, honey, you know I'm not very good at playing soccer," Jaedynn said.

"Come on, Jaedynn," Roshad said and she looked up at him having only just realized he'd walked over. He was giving her a playful smile and, for the first time in months, she felt a spark. "When was the last time you and I played together?" he asked.

"I think I was still pregnant with Kamron," Jaedynn answered.

"I'd say it's about time you and I had another game then," Roshad said playfully and Sherry started tugging on Jaedynn's hand even hardy.

"Please mommy?! Please come play!" Sherry begged. Jaedynn looked between her and Roshad then felt that spark yet again that she'd only now realized how much she'd missed.

"Alright," Jaedynn answered and stood from the blanket, "I'll play on your team, Sherry."

"Yay!" Sherry squealed and pulled Jaedynn with further onto the beach where they were playing.

Now that Jaedynn was playing, they started the game over with Ada María and Roshad on one side, Jaedynn and the kids on another. Nathan acted as the referee and tossed the ball between the teams. As soon as the ball was in play, Ada María went right for the ball and started kicking it to the other side where the children's goal was. When Kamron was about to intercept her, she kicked the ball over to Roshad but Maleek was right there trying to get the ball. Roshad kept his kicks of the ball gentle and Maleek cheerfully got to the ball and kicked it away from Roshad. He followed after and picked up Maleek before kicking the ball to go in the other direction.

"See mommy! Baba's cheating!" Leo yelled and went right to Jaedynn.

"You're absolutely right; he did," Jaedynn said. "I think that earns Maleek a free goal."

"Oh no, there'll be no 'free goals' in this game," Ada María said.

"Maleek, sweet pea?" Jaedynn said and the boy looked right at her. "Would you like to score a goal?" Maleek nodded eagerly and it made Roshad chuckle a little. He put Maleek down and stepped aside while Maleek ran to the ball. Then he gently started to kick the ball but he was kicking it in the wrong direction. "Other way, sweet pea. That's our goal so if you kick the ball into that one, baba and grandma win the point."

"No!" Maleek said defiantly and got around the ball to start kicking it in the other direction. He eventually got the ball across the other goal and when he did, all the kids cheered.

"Good job, Maleek!" Jaedynn called out and the little boy looked so proud and excited. Roshad went to get the ball and kicked it over to Nathan so he could get the ball back into play.

The game continued with Roshad being more careful not to 'cheat' and instead stealing the ball as he would in a normal game. The kids kept getting more and more competitive and Jaedynn was starting to get into it trying her best to steal the ball from either Roshad or Ada María depending on who had it. Roshad stole the ball from Kamron and as he was trying to get it to the kids' goal, Jaedynn intercepted him, kicked him in the shin and managed to get the ball past his and Ada María's goal.

"Ha!" Jaedynn yelled and turned to look at Roshad so she could gloat but he was kneeling in the sand holding his shin while the kids surrounded him asking if he was okay. "Roshad?" she said and ran over to him. "Roshad, I'm sorry; are you alright?"

Once she'd come around to his front and kneeled to check on him, Roshad sprang forward grabbing Jaedynn and lifting her up over his shoulder and spinning her around making her scream and laugh all at once. The kids surrounded them laughing and jumping and before long, Jaedynn was just laughing.

"That was downright ruthless; don't you guys think?" Roshad said jovially to the kids. "I'd say that entitles me to a free goal."

"Nah uh!" the kids all argued.

"I got that goal fairly; you don't get a free goal," Jaedynn argued and started slapping Roshad's back but not very hard.

"You didn't get that goal fairly; I let you have that one," Roshad teased and bounced Jaedynn on his shoulder making Jaedynn start laughing again.

"No take backs!" Jaedynn yelled.

"Yeah, baba! No take backs!" Navid laughed and before long all the other kids were repeating 'no take-backs' until Roshad finally laughed and put Jaedynn down.

"You win this time," Roshad said and they parted to continue with the game.

When the children started to get tired, they turned their attention and efforts to playing in the sand making little sand castles and playing around in the water with Ada María close behind. Once it was nearing dinner time, they returned to the hotel so they could wash up starting with the kids then finally the adults. Once they were ready, Roshad brought them to a restaurant by the sea side and had made a point to obtain a table with a good view. The sound of the ocean at night was so relaxing and the children barely touched their dinner from being too tired by the time their food arrived. Maleek started to get fussy but calmed the moment Jaedynn was holding him and he fell asleep on her arm almost immediately. Once they returned to the hotel, everyone went to their own rooms for the night. Jaedynn and Roshad slept in separate rooms with the kids like they'd done the night before but this time when Jaedynn was trying to go to sleep, she kept thinking about Roshad.

The next day was used to do some site seeing but the children were not nearly as interested so Roshad made up for it by taking them all hiking the following day. They took one of the trails that went into the lush forest and brought them to the top of an enormous mountain with a gorgeous view of the city and the water. With Kamron leading the way, the kids all kept looking through the brush trying to find the poisonous dart frogs Ada María had told them so much about on the way here and she didn't have the heart to tell the kids they wouldn't find these frogs outside the rain forests. So she instead helped them look while also making sure they stayed away from anything that might be dangerous like venomous bugs or snakes.

"You're sure poison dart frogs aren't in these woods?" Roshad asked Nathan.

"Positive," Nathan said, "they're only in the rainforests. If the kids really want to see some, we can always go to the zoo. No promises they could hold them. When Jaedynn was little, Ada had poison dart frogs as pets and she loved playing with them. They only eat ants but they're only toxic if they eat the toxic insects native to the rainforests. If you just feed them crickets and non-toxic bugs, their skin's no longer dangerous and you can handle them safely."

Roshad smiled, "I'm sure the kids would have loved being able to play with them."

"Baba!" Kamron yelled, "Come see! We found a dart frog!"

"Wait, what?" Nathan said as Roshad ran to Kamron to see. Kamron pointed at a frog that was mostly brown with varying shades atop a large leaf sitting still. It wasn't brightly colored or interesting to look at so he looked at Ada María who was smiling.

"It's a Brazilian Gold Frog," Ada María said and winked at Roshad. "Be careful, mijo – these little guys are really mean." Jaedynn made it to the group and saw the frog knowing immediately it wasn't actually a poison dart frog but she didn't say anything since Kamron and the others were so excited.

"Mommy, look!" Iman said while pointing at the frog.

"I see it, Iman," Jaedynn said. "Just don't touch it. It could hurt you."

"Do you want to get a closer look?" Roshad asked the kids who agreed unanimously.

So Roshad picked up a rock and, very carefully, timed the change just right so he was able to create a glass box with holes in which he was able to capture the frog. The animal was trying to get out – he'd have to release it soon, but he wanted to let the children enjoy the wildlife. The kids all watched the frog in awe as it was hopping around the tiny enclosure and Roshad moved it around so they could have different views. All the while, Jaedynn watched as she could feel her heart melting. This was the man she fell in love with all those years ago; this man who'd loved her son from the very beginning and always put their children before anything and everything…..just as he'd done for Nasir. Roshad finally released the frog back onto a leaf and it hopped away into the woods to escape.

"Let's find another one!" Kamron commanded to his siblings and they began the search again for more frogs and any other fun wildlife all with Roshad keeping a close watch.

When they'd made it out of the woods back into the city, they all went to a strip lined with all sorts of shops both in store front form and street vendor form. They found a fruit vendor and, knowing her grandson's affinity for sour, Ada María bout a whole bunch of passion fruit for Kamron to enjoy and gave the other kids fruits of their choosing like mangoes and fried plantains. Roshad had Maleek on his should while the boy enjoyed a mango and didn't say a word about any of the juice Maleek was dripping in Roshad's hair. Jaedynn couldn't help finding it rather funny.

"Something wrong?" Roshad asked with a teasing smile when he noticed Jaedynn trying to hide a laugh.

"You've got mango in your hair," Jaedynn said.

"I know; it's a new hair treatment I'm trying out," Roshad joked and Jaedynn laughed more freely. "My barber guaranteed it'll make me look ten years younger. Isn't that right Maleek?" Maleek laughed a little and kept enjoying his mango. He dropped a large chunk of fruit in Roshad's hair and Maleek quickly grabbed it and ate it. This time, Roshad reacted with a straight face looking up at Maleek. "That's disgusting, young man."

"Really? That's the thing you're going to complain about? Drop all the fruit in my hair you want, just don't eat it after?" Jaedynn asked with a smile.

"We taught Maleek to have better manners than that," Roshad said and this time Jaedynn was laughing out loud. Once Maleek finished his mango, Ada María took the skin from him to throw away and Maleek's sticky, fruit juice covered hands went right into Roshad's hair and it was extremely unpleasantly. Jaedynn was trying really hard not to laugh but Roshad looked at her seriously. "What? This is all part of the hair treatment."

"Whatever you say," Jaedynn giggled.

When they finally made it back, they still had a few hours before dinner so the kids washed up, got changed and went to the beach with Nathan and Ada María. Roshad had gotten into the shower as soon as they'd made it back and Jaedynn helped all the kids get ready for the beach and told them to have a good time with their grandparents. Once they were gone, Jaedynn was in the hallway a moment prepared to go back into the room she'd been using but she stopped in front of the door to the room Roshad had been using. She stared at the door for a moment wondering if she should go in. She had a room key, but it was in the other room. She wound up standing there for several seconds trying to decide what to do before deciding she was being silly and going back to the other room, but when she got in there, the other room key was right on the nightstand where she'd originally left it.

When she saw the key, she went and grabbed it then went back out into the hallway going straight to the door to the bedroom Roshad had been using with the boys. She hesitated a moment but soon let herself in walking in slowly. She could hear the shower still going and she could hear Roshad humming. She couldn't remember the last time she'd heard him sing in the shower. It really had been a very long time. She thought about the last time they held one another. It had been in the hospital after the accident. Before that, it had been when they were on the balcony of the palace staring out onto the city. She'd been so angry with him before that she'd not realized how lonely she felt. She'd forgotten how much she loved him and longed for him. She heard the shower turn off and she came to attention waiting for Roshad to come out. She wondered if maybe she was being too bold but she pushed those feelings aside and continued waiting at the end of the bed. When Roshad came out, he had a towel wrapped around his waist and was finishing rubbing a smaller towel over his head to dry his hair. When he finally looked up and noticed Jaedynn sitting on the end of the bed, he was surprised to see her.

"Jaedynn? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," Jaedynn answered. She was so nervous all of a sudden. "Mom and dad have the kids so they'll be keeping them busy until dinner. We can finally relax a little."

"It's certainly well deserved," Roshad answered. He was just as nervous as Jaedynn but he was doing his best to remain casual and calm. He walked over to his suitcase looking for fresh clothes. "Remember," he continued, trying to make small talk, "no telling maman about Kamron or Leo having shrimp tacos last night. If she knew those boys had shellfish, she'd throw a fit."

"Is this a bad time to tell you the kids had bacon with their breakfast this morning?" Jaedynn asked with a gentle smile.

"I won't tell if you don't," Roshad played along with the same smile.

"Did the mango do the trick?" Jaedynn asked light heartedly and Roshad's smile broadened.

"As a matter of fact, I think it did," Roshad answered. "I feel like a changed man." Jaedynn giggled a moment and averted her eyes for a moment. When their eyes met again, Jaedynn felt that sense of longing again. It had been so, so long but after all the time apart and how she pushed him away, she was too embarrassed to say how she was feeling. "Jaedynn?" Roshad said and made her look up at him. For a moment, Roshad seemed like he might not continue but then he cleared his throat a little and said, "We didn't get to reach the summit of Pedra Bonita. I'll wager it's stunning at night."

"You want to take the children hiking at night?"

"No, most definitely not," Roshad said. "I had thought perhaps we could go hiking…..just the two of us."

"Oh," Jaedynn said and licked her lips a little, "that would be nice. When?"

"Tonight?" Roshad suggested eagerly. "We can go to sleep early and let Nathan and Ada take care of the kids for the night then when it's close to midnight, we can start the hike." She wanted to. She wanted to so badly. She worried it would be too short notice, but she put that aside. She'd beg them to let the kids sleep with them for the night if she had to.

"Sure," Jaedynn finally said, "I would like that." Roshad smiled lovingly at her.

"So I'll see you in the hall around 11?"

"11 it is," Jaedynn said and stood from the edge of the bed. "If we're doing this, I had better go to bed now."

"Same," Roshad said. "I'll see you tonight."

"Until tonight," Jaedynn said and then left the room but only after looking over her shoulder at him.

Roshad got into bed but he couldn't get to sleep. He was too excited. After all these months of not talking, barely seeing each other, the shame and the guilt, he felt like he was finally getting somewhere. He felt like there was finally hope they could make things as they were before the accident. He wanted that so desperately. The moment Roshad heard the children outside with Nathan and Ada María, Roshad got into a robe and stepped out so he could ask Nathan and Ada María to look after the children for the night. Much to his relief, they agreed and once he knew the children would be taken care of, he got back into bed trying to rest but it was virtually impossible. At 10, Roshad tied up a large blanket so the two of them could stay atop the mountain for a while and enjoy the sight of the stars. He doused himself with enough bug repellant to kill a cat but also made sure to wear some cologne. He dressed in jean shorts and a white t-shirt with very thin, pale stripes on it and took a moment to make sure his facial hair was properly trimmed.

Meanwhile, Jaedynn knew with the humidity trying to style her hair was a fool's errand so she put her hair in a French braid. She wore a thin tank top without a bra not wanting to bother with it and a pair of short yellow jogging shorts. She also put on copious amounts of bug spray not wanting their hike to be ruined by being eaten alive. At eleven, Jaedynn stepped out of the bedroom into the hallway waiting for Roshad to come out. When he did and he noticed her, Roshad smiled lovingly at her and she smiled back. He wore a backpack and Jaedynn saw a rolled up blanket poking out from the open zipper.

"We spending the night?" Jaedynn asked jokingly.

"No, but I thought we could relax once we got up there," Roshad said. "I have some water and snacks in the bag too. It is a 40 minute hike up the mountain after all."

"For most people," Jaedynn said with a gentle smile. "Shall we get going?"

Roshad nodded and the two of them walked through the hallway to the elevator at the other end of the floor and took it down to the first floor. When they stepped outside, there was still traffic and there was still hustle and bustle, but not as much as during the day. When they finally made it to the trail going up Pedra Bonita, it was extremely quiet: exactly what Roshad had been hoping for. There were no other people on the trail besides them and the only noise, save for the city in the distance, was the sound of the nocturnal wildlife going about their night. For the first several minutes of the hike, Roshad and Jaedynn didn't speak. They enjoyed the sounds of the night going up the incline of the mountain working their way to the top.

"I'm glad we decided to do this so late," Jaedynn broke the silence once they were halfway up Pedra Bonita. "This is so much nicer when it's calm."

"It really is," Roshad agreed and glanced at Jaedynn. "Are you enjoying the trip?"

"Very much," Jaedynn said. "It's been so long since I've been to Brazil. This was a nice change."

"Good; I'm glad to hear it," Roshad said. There was another moment of silence as they continued up the mountain. "You usually went to Salvador when you were younger right?"

"Yeah. That's where mom's old bar is," Jaedynn said and smiled back on the fond memories. "When I was really young, mom would take us to the bar during the day and let us play on the stage. Uncle Marcelo would make us mix drinks and his girlfriend would sit at a front table applauding Ivory and I. Mom tried to teach us to dance but I'm afraid none of her talent rubbed off on us. Certainly not me."

"Nonsense. You're a wonderful dancer," Roshad said. Rather than answer, Jaedynn just laughed a little under her breath. "Maybe next time we come to Brazil, we can go to Salvador. I'm sure the kids would love to see their grandma's bar and play on the stage."

"I'm sure they would," Jaedynn agreed with a smile. "We should try to bring Raphael with if we can."

"Absolutely," Roshad said with a smile. "Next chance we get, we'll talk to Gloria about it. I haven't spoken to her in a while."

"It's been a while for me too," Jaedynn said. "Last I spoke to her, she said Raphael was doing well at school."

"That's good," Roshad replied. "I wish we could see them more often."

"Yeah, it'd be nice if we could," Jaedynn said. "Kamron and Iman are enjoying going to the tribal school. I think Kamron and Iman like being able to walk to my dad's house from school. Sometimes they'll come back really late because they were playing on the beach with a bunch of the other kids."

"I'm glad we could have some good come out of what happened," Roshad said. There was one question that was burning in his mind now that the kids' schooling was brought up. "I miss you all when you're with the tribe. Maybe I can rent a house in Forks so I can see the children every day instead of just on weekends."

"It's worth seeing what's available in town," Jaedynn said, "but it won't be anything like what we've got in Seattle."

"I wouldn't expect it to be," Roshad said. "I'm happy to make anything work as long as we can be together again."

After a moment, Roshad glanced down at Jaedynn's hand wanting so badly to take it in his. After a few minutes, he took the chance and reached to take her hand. She didn't push his hand away so he laced his fingers through hers then squeezed her hand. She squeezed his hand back and it was exactly the reassurance he needed. For the rest of the hike up, they were mostly quiet. Then they finally made it to the top of the mountain and the view was breathtaking. They looked out onto the city and onto the ocean able to hear the water splash against the rocks even from where they stood. They didn't speak for a while. They didn't really need to. The sound of the ocean, the chorus of nocturnal animals coming from the woods, the stars and moon bright in the sky: it was all so soothing and romantic.

"Go ahead and roll out that blanket," Jaedynn said. "I'd like to stare up at the stars."

With a smile, Roshad pulled the backpack off and removed the blanket so he could unroll it onto the cold, dry ground. Once their blanket was laid out, the two of them laid down next to one another and stared up at the stars. The full moon was out and shining bright but they could still see a few constellations in the sky pointing them out when they noticed them. They heard some very slow shuffling and Jaedynn sat up to look down the trail but it was just an Armadillo wandering around sniffing for bugs. When she saw the Armadillo, she giggled.

"I loved Armadillos when I was a kid," Jaedynn said. "I used to want to play with them but mom would never let me. She said if I play with one, it'll give me leprosy."

"Armadillos can contract leprosy?"

"According to mom they can," Jaedynn said. "I had to settle for playing with the horny toads my sister and her mom used to keep in their backyard. Cute little guys."

"Arizona has toads?"

"They're not actually toads. They're lizards. They're just really wide bodied so they kind of have that shape. At least I'm assuming that's how they got the nickname horny toads. They have little spikes all over their body too and they're brown and beige. Sometimes their spots will be black. As a defense mechanism, they shoot blood out of their eyes at predators."

"Wouldn't that just make the predator want them more?"

"Maybe, but the blood either startles the predator or distracts them long enough for the lizard to scurry away," Jaedynn said. "One of Ivory's lizards did that to me when I was younger and I about screamed bloody murder."

"Were I a child, I would too," Roshad chuckled. He looked at her for a moment while Jaedynn continued to look up at the stars. The moment of calm went on until Roshad's smile started to fade. This was as good a time as any to be serious but they'd finally started to relax and bond again. He was scared to ruin it but he knew he had to take the plunge. "Jaedynn," Roshad began, "the reason I asked you to come out here with me is I wanted for us to talk." Jaedynn turned her head so she was looking at Roshad.

"What about?" she asked.

Roshad took a deep breath before continuing. "I was hoping we could talk about us. I want us to go back to the way we were. I want us to be a husband and wife again. The past several months, it's felt like we're strangers."

"I don't know if 'strangers' is the word I'd use," Jaedynn said quietly and solemnly then turned so she was on her side facing him. Then she came closer to him and even placed her hand on his chest. It was a touching moment and Roshad quickly placed his hand over hers. "I know why you stayed behind in Iran, but I felt so alone when you were away. I missed you so much and I was terrified because I didn't know if you were okay or when you were coming home. By the time you did come home, I'd been dealing with everything by myself and I resented you for it."

"I'm sorry," Roshad said and turned so he was on his side and took her in his arms holding her tight so her face was against his shoulder. Jaedynn embraced him back and even cuddled into his shoulder. "I don't know what else to say except that I'm sorry."

"It's all you can say," Jaedynn answered and then she started to get misty eyes. "I'm sorry, Roshad. All I've done is made us both miserable."

Roshad gently shook his head, "I don't want us to blame each other anymore. I just want you to love me again."

"I never stopped loving you, Roshad," Jaedynn said and lifted her head from his shoulder so she was looking at him. "I swear no matter how angry I was I never stopped loving you. That's why I got as angry as I did when I thought there was something going on with Diyanna. I thought I may have pushed you away so much that you'd finally had enough of me and I took that out on you."

"Jaedynn, I swear on my life there is nothing between Diyanna and I," Roshad swore. "We're friends. Nothing more. I've never wanted anything to do with her except have someone I could talk to. I never wanted her and I never will. You're the only one I want and ever will want."

"I know that now," she answered trying so hard to hold herself together. Roshad brushed a tear away from her cheek but before he could pull his hand away, Jaedynn lifted her own to keep him against her cheek. "I love you, Roshad."

"I love you too, Jaedynn," Roshad said and started roll clover to her so he was hovering over her, "I love you," he said again. "I love you so much," he said and finally lowered his head so he could press a kiss to her lips.

He might not have originally intended to do more than kiss her, but the total of fifteen months of being apart, all the sorrow, the rage – Roshad couldn't stop himself from pressing his tongue to her lips requesting access. 'Begging' was the correct word for it. Then Jaedynn's lips parted for him and when they tasted one another, the kiss deepened further and they lost all care for where they were. It didn't matter that they were out in the open on a popular hiking trail in the middle of the night. They missed one another and weren't about to stop. Roshad rolled the rest of the way so he was fully hovering over her. In spite of the cool night air, it was still extremely warm and Roshad's own body temperature added to the heat.

Still unconcerned with where they were, Jaedynn took a hold of the hem of her shirt, took her lips away and pulled it off over her head so her chest was bare. When she had, Roshad went right to her chest pressing kisses between her breasts working his way up to each nipple one at a time ensuring both received equal attention. Jaedynn moaned his name while she lifted her knees and cradled his hips between her legs feeling his erection forming between them. Jaedynn dipped her hands down to touch him pressing her breasts together. Roshad swirled his tongue around the sensitive flesh and he trailed one hand down so he was touching between her legs. He rubbed his fingers over the fabric then went up to the hem of her shorts so he could pull them down. He sat up so he could completely remove her shorts and panties keeping them on the blanket beside them.

Roshad started kissing his way down Jaedynn's midriff to her hip kissing from side to side then kissing his way up her left leg until he reached her knee. He grazed his teeth over her skin enough to tickle her but not enough to hurt her or break the skin. Then he lifted her right leg so he could kiss her right knee then kissed his way back down until he was between her legs. Once he'd made it there, he dragged his tongue over her entrance making Jaedynn moan and shiver. Then he reached her clitoris where he swirled his tongue firmly around the bundle of nerves making Jaedynn cry out with pleasure. Her fingers were laced through his short hair and she was arching her back as her whole body trembled. Roshad slipped two fingers inside her and used his tongue to build her closer and closer to release.

Roshad's fingers pressed against her inner walls finding a spot that drove her crazy and eventually, all too soon, she felt a snap in her core as she achieved her release and she felt tremors all over her body. She cried out with pleasure and held Roshad's head while he guided her down from her orgasm. After she'd finally come down, Roshad pulled away and started to unbutton his jean shorts. Jaedynn pulled the zipper down and tugged his shorts and boxer briefs down so his erection would spring out. Once he was free from his confines, Roshad came down to her and guided his erection inside her. Jaedynn whimpered when he was fully sheathed. Until that moment, she'd not realized how empty physically and literally she'd felt these past several months. Roshad grabbed a hold of Jaedynn's hand and laid down on top of her not moving at all for a moment. He needed to stay still just for the sake of savoring the feel of her around him in a way he'd not felt in over a year.

"Roshad," Jaedynn moaned and wrapped her free arm around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Just a moment," Roshad said as he was pressing kisses up and down her neck. "I just want a moment."

Jaedynn sighed and hugged him tighter while Roshad remained still just enjoying the warm, wet security of her body. Then when he finally started to move, he started gently but quickly built his way up to a faster and faster pace. He let go of her hand so he could keep his balance and go even faster and Jaedynn brought her other arm around his neck so she was holding him tight. She didn't want him to ever stop. She just wanted Roshad to keep going until they both couldn't move anymore. Roshad would slow down for brief periods but they never lasted as he would speed up again. Jaedynn pressed a kiss to his neck and fused her lips there to quiet her screams of pleasure. Her body was quickly on the brink of release again and she reached a hand between them so she could encourage herself along. Now that Jaedynn was getting closer, Roshad's thrusts became harsher and more forceful to help her and the moment he felt her body convulse and her walls tighten around him he reached his own release. Roshad's fingers clutched onto the blanket and he could feel the dirt underneath give from the strength of his hands.

After they were spent, Roshad lifted his head so he could rest his forehead against Jaedynn's and started kissing her tenderly. They stayed on the blanket together for another hour holding one another and even made love one more time before getting dressed and going back down the mountain returning to the hotel. They went up the elevator to their floor and went to the bedroom Roshad had been using. They stripped out of their clothes and got under the covers together going right to sleep holding each other through the night. By the time they'd made it to bed, it was nearly three in the morning but at 7 in the morning, there was a knock on the door.

"Baba!" Kamron's little voice came from the other side of the door. Roshad groaned and lifted his head while Jaedynn managed to stay asleep. Roshad went to grab a robe so he was covered and went to the door to answer it.

"Morning, Kamron," Roshad said with a gentle smile.

"Baba, it's time for breakfast! We need to go downstairs," Kamron said with excitement.

"I'm afraid your maman and I aren't up for breakfast at the moment. We got to bed around 3 and we're still really tired," Roshad said.

"Isn't that past bedtime?"

"It's well past yours, yes," Roshad chuckled. "We just needed to get out for a bit." Kamron looked up at Roshad for a moment.

"Are you and mommy still mad at each other?" Kamron asked innocently and anxiously.

"No," Roshad said soothingly and kneeled down so he was at Kamron's level, "no, your maman and I aren't mad. Not anymore." Roshad took a deep breath thinking how to explain things. "You see, Kamron, I made a horrible mistake not coming home after the accident. It put a strain on your maman and I and for a while things weren't very nice. But things are alright now. We've finally been able to talk things out."

"You and mommy are okay?" Kamron asked.

"Yes," Roshad said. "Things are better than ever." Roshad's smile broadened and he gently ran his hand over Kamron's head a moment. "You see, Azizam, sometimes there are things you just can't fix on your own. It's important to know when you need help. Your maman and I finally admitted we needed help and when we did, we could finally start making things better. Never be afraid to admit you need help, Kamron. Sometimes, it'll make all the difference in the world." Roshad kissed Kamron's forehead and then stood. "Go ahead and have breakfast. Your maman and I are sleeping in."

"Okay, baba," Kamron smiled and ran from the door down the hall so he could meet back up with his siblings and grandparents. Roshad closed the door and went right back to bed lying down beside Jaedynn.

"Was that Kamron?" Jaedynn asked in a groggy haze.

"Yes," Roshad answered and brought Jaedynn against his chest. "I told him you and I are sleeping in this morning."

"Thank you," she said and rubbed her face against his chest. The crisp hair scratched her face and was pleasant and soothing. "How much did Kamron know?"

"He knew we were fighting," Roshad said. "He was scared you and I would get a divorce and at the time, the only think I could tell him was I wouldn't let you go without trying to make things better. Just now, I told him everything was finally okay."

"Did any of the other kids know?"

"Not that I've been made aware of," Roshad said. "Kamron only knew we were not getting along the way we normally did. He didn't know why."

"I guess it was stupid to think we could keep this from them," Jaedynn answered in a sad voice.

"What matters is we've made things right," Roshad said and kissed her head. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jaedynn said, "more than ever."