CHAPTER 21

Ali sat looking out the window of Ardeth's, no their home. The last year had gone by so swiftly. Ardeth had completely healed from his injury as she had from hers. Then they had been married.

It had been a grand affair. People from every tribe came to see their Lord take his bride.

Ali smiled as she thought about the weeks after their wedding. Ardeth had taken a one week 'leave' from most of his duties. Ahmen had gladly stepped in and fulfilled the ones he could. Ardeth and Ali had spent most of the week in bed. Making love, talking, dreaming, planning. There had only been one conversation that had not been a pleasant one.

Ali was concerned that because of losing their baby, that she would not be able to bear Ardeth any more children. Ardeth had held her when she cried and had tried to sooth her.

She turned and looked at Ardeth sleeping in their bed. His jet black hair loosely framing his face. Ali could not help but grin as she looked at her husband. Then her eye caught a slight movement from beside their bed.

She left her window seat and made her way over to the movement. Her grin broke out into a wide smile as she reached down and picked up their son from his cradle. The baby cooed as Ali brought him to her breast.

As he hungrily ate, Ali remembered the day that she had discovered that she was indeed with child again.

She had missed one cycle but would not let herself get her hopes up. She had not even told Ardeth. But when she had missed another cycle she was sure of it.

So that night she took great pains in preparing a wonderful meal for Ardeth. He had just returned from yet another trip to Hamunaptra.

When he walked through the door that night he immediately noticed the extra preparations to the table. And when Ali came from the kitchen he could see an extra glow about her.

Walking up to her he took her in his arms "What is all of this Habibi?"

Ali had blushed and said "Nothing. I just wanted to welcome you home."

Although Ardeth still believed there was more, he none the less went along with Ali. After they had eaten, Ali had cleared the table and came back into the living area with Ardeth.

"Come, Kalila. I want to be near you for I have missed you" Ardeth said as he extended his hand to Ali.

Ali took it and set down on his lap. Ardeth could see her eyes glowing in the early evening light. "Are you sure everything is alright, kalila?"

As a huge smile broke across her face Ali spoke "Yes Ardeth. I am sure everything is wonderful. I do have a surprise for you though"

"You do?"

"Yes I do." Suddenly Ali couldn't find the right words. She wanted this to be perfect. Finally taking Ardeth's hand she quietly said "Ardeth, I'm going to have a baby. We're going to have a baby."

For a moment Ardeth had been speechless. For he had worried about Ali. He knew that because of what she had been through that she might not be able to bear more children. And he knew that it greatly upset her. He also was concerned that if she did become pregnant again that she might have problems.

Ali watched as several emotions played out across Ardeth's face. "Ardeth?"

Shaking his head of any worry Ardeth looked into Ali's concerned green eyes "That is wonderful habibi." Then hugging her closely he added "When do you think we should expect our new addition?"

Ali pulled back from him and grinned "probably in around 7 months."

Ardeth touched Ali's cheek "then my habibi I will pamper you and shower you with everything you desire until the time comes". He then kissed her lips ever so softly and whispered "I love you Ali."

With tears flowing down her cheeks Ali whispered back "I love you too, Ardeth. I truly do."

Ali was brought back from her thoughts by Ardeth nuzzling at her neck. He then walked around in front of her chair and kneeled down. Reaching out he first touched her cheek, then he gently ran his hand down the side of his sleeping son's face.

"Good morning Habibi"

"Good morning"

"I am a very lucky man to wake up the wonderful site of his beautiful wife and his son sitting in the early morning light"

"Ardeth" Ali said as she shook her head.

"It's true. I am a very lucky man"

"And I am a very lucky woman. I love you Ardeth".

"As I love you habibi. So you truly believe that you are a lucky woman living out here in the middle of the desert carrying for me and our son?" As he finished Ardeth winked at Ali. Then standing he reached out and took the baby and placed him back in his cradle.

Ali stood as Ardeth made his way back to her. As he took her in his arms she whispered "I don't just believe I know how lucky I am Ardeth. I love you, I love our son, I love our life. And there is truly no other place I would rather be" With that Ali stood on her tippy-toes and claimed her husband's lips in a kiss. A kiss that showed him that there was truly no other place in the world she would rather be.