AS IT SHOULD BE
March 30th, 1934
Ardeth sat back and shook his head incredulously. He didn't know what his wife was thinking. She was American, of course, and insisted that the children should have cake for their birthday. He couldn't imagine how far she had had to ride to get what she needed for it, and as he watched the twins, he realized that Leven had wasted her time and energy. The instant it was set before them, they destroyed it. He honestly didn't know where the children began and the cake ended. Although at first, he had disapproved of this, he couldn't help laughing as he watched them. He made eye contact with his wife and expected to see her a bit upset. However, she wasn't. She was smiling a little and laughing behind her hand. She didn't want the twins to see her laughing, if they did, they'd show off some more. What were you thinking, he asked with his eyes. I know, I know, next time I might take your advice, she answered with her own. From the look of it, none of the cake had been consumed; most of it was ground into their dark hair and on their cheeks. Give something squishy to a toddler, and he/she would make good use of it. It would take several hours for them to clean up and both of them would need baths. Although it had caused more trouble than either had expected, neither of them could or would complain. Leven didn't necessarily want to spoil the children, but she also didn't want to miss a minute of their lives. After what she had lived through, he wouldn't ever argue against that.
It took longer cleaning up the children than it did anything. Neither of them were happy about the baths, especially since they had had one earlier today. Clean [for the moment], they laid them down for a nap. Both fought that as well, but Ardeth and Leven stayed with them, stroking their silky black hair until they fell asleep. Leven lingered a bit longer than her husband, kissing her fingers and laying them upon their foreheads. Any touch stronger than that would set them off again. She left them and laughed a little as her eyes fell on Ardeth. He had stripped down to his waist and fell face first onto the pallet. How many times had she thought it odd that his children could wipe him out quicker than any foe he faced? Of course, he was getting all the rest he could. Some evil force was back to cause torment and grief to the people, and Ardeth could linger only briefly. Smiling a little, she joined him on the pallet, leaning over his back, and she began stroking his hair. His head was propped on his arms, and as soon as he felt her fingers running through his hair, he turned toward her. He was smiling a little and shaking his head at the same time.
"Why did you do that, Hafa? I feel as if I have done battle," he said.
She laughed aloud. "How funny," she said. "Adnan and Azizah can best their great warrior Daddy," she said with a grin.
He leaned up a little. "I have thought the same of you many times."
She looked at him in mock disbelief. "I have a great warrior Daddy? Do you know something I don't?"
"You are trying to exasperate me, I see this. I sense your evil ploy, and it will not work," he said, his eyes locked with hers.
She reached out and touched his cheek. "Wow, you're so serious," she said. "Damn. You've gotten to the heart of the matter and stuff, haven't you?" She drew her face up to his and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He wanted to deepen it, wanted more, but she backed away. "Wait a second." She pushed him down a little and straddled his waist. "I want to do this as much as I can, because when you return, you're going to need much, much more from me, aren't you?"
Her hands began to move up his back to his shoulders, kneading and pressing. "Yes, I will." He closed his eyes and surrendered to her touch. "I would like for you to take the children to Cairo."
She worked on his back and shoulders busily. Since the dark goddess had visited them, he was afraid she would return. She tried telling him that it was over, that if the goddess wanted her, she would find her anywhere. Yet, it wasn't good enough for him. He continued to insist and had even managed to secure a place for them. However, considering the task set out before him this time, she wouldn't argue, and there was another factor weighing on her mind as well. She nodded. "Okay, I'll go if it'll ease your mind."
"It will," he said with a sigh. Her hands were so good and skillful. "I love you, Hafa, and I do not want anything else to happen to you or the children. I may be away much longer this time."
She pushed his hair away from his neck and her hands went for it. "How much?"
"I am not sure."
"How long can you stay with me in Cairo?"
Her wonderful hands were relaxing him so much that he was slowly being lulled to sleep. The wonderful things she gave him were overwhelming. "For a while."
She leaned down over him and placed a gentle kiss between his shoulders. "Good. How long is a while?"
Her questions had brought him out of his lull. When she felt his body shifting slightly, she moved off him and sat on her knees. He turned to his side and glanced up at her curiously. She questioned him a lot, but she didn't necessarily needle him. It wasn't part of her character. She was inquisitive, yes, but not…what was the word…nagging. "A few weeks, I hope. Why are you asking so many questions?"
She shrugged, but kept her eyes fixed on his. "No reason. Just curious. So, a few weeks. How many are a few?"
"Hafa? Is there something on your mind," he asked gently.
She nodded. "Yes, there is, a few things. I'm afraid…afraid that…"
He sat up to face her. "My love, wherever we are, I am always with you." He kissed her softly, but then pressed forward, sliding his tongue between her lips. When it touched hers, he began moving her downward toward the pallet.
She broke away. He looked at her questioningly. He knew she wanted him. It was in her eyes. "Ardeth, wait a moment. I need an answer, baby. Can you stay with me longer than a few weeks?"
"How many weeks do you need," he asked, his confusion growing second by second.
She shrugged again. "Oh, I don't know, hard to estimate. Maybe twenty-eight or thirty."
For a moment, he stared at her as if she had lost her mind. Why would she need him for thirty weeks? It dawned on him slowly, blooming in his mind and overtaking him. Thirty weeks was seven and a half months. "Leven? Are you…"
As the words died in his throat, she smiled a little. "Pregnant?"
He still couldn't speak. Slowly, he nodded. "Are you?"
"Yes."
Although he couldn't speak, he didn't have difficulty moving. He reached for her, kissed her deeply, and then held her close. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.
As it is
As it was
As it should be
As it always will be
* * *
FINISA/N: Ms. Dreamy used a version of the little ditty above in her last Farron/Kara fic. Neither one of us is certain if it actually originated in a poem, or who owns it or whatever. Anyway, just wanted to add that disclaimer. If it is indeed Dreamy's, I gots her permission to use it. If it isn't, NO infringement intended. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE!
