AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Happy New Year! I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, healthy and most prosperous 2014.
We get a tiny bit more of our beloved Brit characters in this chapter. (and I count Ashok as one of them!) Please remember that the timelines are not quite matched up. This chapter is further ahead in time than the events I have so far depicted in Linden Gardens, Notting Hill. As such, some things mentioned here may raise questions, as they have not happened yet in the other book. Be assured, all will be explained fully in time.
Writing with my sister is the best thing ever and she is writing Errors even as we speak, er, as I type.
Big hugs to my girls, Maureen, Rebecca, Kate and Miss Pauline.
The FF witch hunt appears to be over. I will continue to post here and move to AO3 as and when I have to. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.
WARNING:
This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!
AU/AH/OC
All character names from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. The similarities end there.
Chapter 41: The Best Laid Plans
Nasir awoke from the sound of the shower and knew that Rick must be getting ready for work. He could see out the windows that it was another overcast and likely to be drizzly day in London. Nasir yawned and stretched. He was achingly hard and smiled at the thought of what he would be able to do about that right after his plane landed. Which reminded him that he needed to order a limousine to pick them up.
The bedroom door opened and Ashok appeared in only a pair of boxers that were clearly Rick's. The plaid garment was much too big for Ashok's thin frame and hung low on his hips, held up only by the curvature of his butt.
"Good morning," Ashok smiled sweetly as he climbed onto the foot of Nasir's bed and sat cross legged. He was completely oblivious to the fact that it was very easy to see up the wide legs of the too big boxers.
"Good morning to you," Nasir returned.
"Did you sleep well?" Ashok was desperate to know that their honored guest, indeed their first guest as a couple, was comfortable and wanted for nothing.
"As well as is possible without Emmett in the bed with me," Nasir answered.
"Oh, of course!" Ashok laughed. "Would you like a mint and parsley omelette this morning?"
"Ashok, I would adore it," Nasir answered.
"Then you shall have it! First I will make coffee," Ashok moved to slide off the bed. "Oh! Is it okay that I am dressed this way?" he well remembered the muslim rules of modesty that he had been admonished to obey for years.
"Of course it is," Nasir answered. "Firstly, this is your home and you should do as you wish. Secondly, do not give a thought to me. Not only are Emmett, Garrett and Sethy all naked with me frequently, we have even had sex in front of each other many times."
"Oh," Ashok shook his head slowly. "I do not think I could be intimate with Rick in front of someone."
"There was a time I thought that way too," Nasir confessed. "My Americans have taught me much and one of the most important things is that an act of love is not something that has to be done coupled in the dark as if you are ashamed of it. Now, having said that, I would not make love to Emmett on the steps of our building, but we do not hide from those who are our brothers."
"I like that philosophy," Ashok smiled and nodded as he rose and headed for the kitchen. Nasir pushed his sheet and blanket away and rose from the bed. He picked up his discarded jeans and bent to step into them. Boxers like Ashok wore would have been much preferable, but he had not bothered to pack any as he never envisioned the need for them. Nasir took care to stuff his cock, which had deflated to half mast, into his jeans with his balls, then zipped and buttoned himself.
Ashok set to work in the kitchen where first he put the coffee to brew. Numerous pans were set on the stove and Ashok began to pull ingredients out of the refrigerator.
"Rick does not know I got these," Ashok confessed as he unwrapped a package of fresh sausages. "They are his favorite and I wanted to surprise him. The English very much like their sausages. Oh, I hope you do not mind the smell of them cooking. They are made of pork."
"Not at all," Nasir shook his head. "I am not about to tell a man what he may and may not cook in his own home. Though, I will not choose to eat it."
"I do not care for them either, but I do like bacon," Ashok admitted as he added them to a grill pan. He pulled out yellow onions, green onions, fresh mint and parsley. Ashok made quick work of slicing the onions and pulled out mugs for their coffee. He made Rick's first and walked it into the bathroom where he delivered it with a kiss to the naked Englishman who was busy shaving in the steamy environment. Back in the kitchen, a plastic container from the refrigerator contained potatoes that had been boiled and cut up into small pieces the previous day. Ashok set these aside as he poured oil into a pan and put on the gas.
In no time Ashok had fried up breakfast potatoes and onions and garnished them with the green onions. He made a second mint and parsley omelette for himself, fried three eggs for Rick and had the sausages done to a turn. And at that precise moment, Rick emerged from the bedroom, coffee mug in hand.
"Morning, Nasir," Rick greeted warmly. He was dressed professionally in dress pants, shirt and tie. "My, a couple of shirtless rouges for breakie. And what is that marvelous smell?" he walked up behind Ashok as the chef was plating their breakfasts. "A breakfast like this on a weekday? You," Rick leaned to kiss the side of Ashok's neck, "are going to spoil me."
"You deserve it," Ashok assured.
The way Rick's boxers sat so low on Ashok's hips bared a good deal of Ashok's crack, which turned Rick on no end and was precisely why Ashok wore them. Rick could not resist snaking a finger down Ashok's crack inside the loose boxers. Were company not present, his other hand would have gone down inside the front of the boxers as well. As it was Rick had to content himself with a small tease and soft kisses. Ashok could not help but smile at the attentions of his lover.
"Breakfast is ready," Ashok turned to face Rick and pressed himself up against the taller man. Rick slipped his arm around the small of Ashok's back and leaned down to give him a loving kiss on his lips. It made Nasir smile to see them together here in their environment.
"Let me eat," Rick gave Ashok a quick pat on his butt, "lest I be late to work."
Ashok turned and handed Rick his plate. He did the same for Nasir and picked up his own.
"You two can sit down if you like," Rick gestured to the small bistro table by one of the living room windows.
"This is just fine," Nasir stated as he took a bite of his omelette. "Umm! Ashok, it is so nice to have this. And it is every bit as good as Emmett makes for me."
"Good. I'm glad," Ashok smiled.
The three men simply stood in the kitchen together and ate their breakfasts.
"Your potatoes, my beauty, dipped in egg yolk," Rick did so, "are simply divine!"
"Good!" Ashok leaned against Rick's side.
In short order they were all done and Rick was out of time.
"I do hate to eat and run," Rick set his plate down on the counter. He gulped what remained of his coffee and gave his mouth a final wipe. "Nasir, I am so very glad we could meet finally and that we had this time."
"As am I," Nasir welcomed Rick's hug and held the man tightly. "I see how happy you and Ashok are. My mind is at ease. I do not worry for him any longer."
"No need, my friend," Rick gave Nasir a final pat on his bare back and stepped away, only to find that Ashok stood by with his briefcase in hand. "Oh, thank you, my sweet," he took it from Ashok and slung it over one shoulder. Ashok took Rick's hand and walked with him the short distance to the door. He picked up Rick's keys from the small bowl on the tiny table by the door and handed them to him as well.
"Viktor has a match tomorrow, I do believe," Rick remembered.
"I'll meet all of you at Molly's then," Ashok knew the routine as well as the rest of them. "I hope Dré and Vince can make it."
"If they don't have some dinner or other to attend, I'm sure they'll be there," Rick was confident.
Ashok pressed himself against Rick and stretched up on his tiptoes to speak quietly to him, "And when we get home, I want to suck your cock."
"When and as you like," Rick chuckled. He slipped a hand inside the back of Ashok's loose boxers and squeezed a palmful of small, succulent, dark, perfect, Indian ass. "Though, I might want something more."
"I am yours," Ashok pledged with open, honest eyes.
"As I am yours," Rick wrapped his arms around Ashok and held him tightly. "I love you, Ashy."
"I love you," Ashok felt safe and loved. Nasir could see and hear and feel it.
"I have to go now or I'll be late," Rick pulled back, but took hold of Ashok's chin and gave him a loving kiss on his lips. "Nasir, thank you for coming. Safe trip home," he gave a wave.
"Bye," Nasir waved back. Rick then unlocked the door, opened it and departed for work. Ashok shut the door behind him and locked it again. He paused a moment in embarrassment. Ashok finally turned back toward Nasir and covered himself with his hands. While he was not fully hard, the thoughts he had placed in his own head with his words, coupled with Rick's grip of his butt, very much had an arousing effect.
"You do not have to hide yourself, Ashok," Nasir assured. "It is a perfectly natural response. I get erect just in anticipation every time I pick up Emmett at the airport. I speak to him on the phone most mornings on my ride to work. Many times I have walked into my building with tented pants."
"You have?" Ashok found it hard to imagine that someone so suave and collected as he had always imagined Nasir to be had the same lack of control over his body that he did.
"Many times," Nasir nodded. "Emmett told me he had to keep a pillow in his lap for most of his flight one time for the same reason."
"Sometimes, Rick can touch me just the right way, or one of us say the right thing and I am like a boy," Ashok spread his hands. He walked back to the kitchen sink with his half hard manhood swinging in his boxers. "It is very embarrassing when it happens in front of people."
"Do not be embarrassed in front of me. I completely understand. And I do not think you should be embarrassed in front of Greg and Viktor or Dré and Vince either. I am sure they understand as well," Nasir advised. "The general public on the other hand..."
"Right!" Ashok laughed as he began to load the dishwasher and wash his pans. "It has happened in public though! We can touch each other here. I mean, Rick is affectionate with me in public! I am used to it now, but I never would have imagined such a place existed. One time in Waitrose, Rick pulled me to him and kissed me, deeply, and I got so hard! And another time in Kensington Gardens he just gave me a sweet kiss, but he took hold of my nipple when he did. He was very gentle and I had a shirt on, but still that set me right off."
"I have many similar experiences with Emmett," Nasir nodded. "When we were with his family for the christian holidays last year, that morning we all wore tee shirts and sleep pants, and Emmett made me so hard. Actually he was hard too. And he is very big."
"What did you do?" Ashok was wide eyed. "If I got hard in front of Rick's parents, I would die!"
"We kept to ourselves as out of sight as possible until we calmed down," Nasir chuckled at the memory.
"Oh, would you like to take a shower? Feel free anytime," Ashok offered.
"Yes, actually, that would be perfect," Nasir walked back to the living room. He unbuttoned, unzipped, dropped his jeans and stepped out of them. He threw the towel that Ashok had provided him last night over his shoulder and headed for the bathroom.
Nasir had his towel wrapped around him when he emerged from the bathroom, fresh from his shower. He found that not only was Ashok done with the dishes and the kitchen totally cleaned, but his bed had been made back into a sofa, and his jeans were neatly folded on the arm.
"I feel so much better!" Nasir exclaimed. "I just need some fresh clothes now," he put his suitcase on it's side and opened it. "Oh! I have a present for you," Nasir extracted one of several items wrapped in bubble wrap and packed among the clothes, and handed it to Ashok.
"What is it!?" Ashok took the heavy object.
"You have to open it," Nasir pulled out a dress shirt and shook it out. He dropped his towel as he put on his shirt and jeans. Ashok found where the package was taped closed, unwrapped the bubble wrap and paper beneath, to find a beautiful and decorative ceramic platter.
"Oh, Nasir! I love it! Rick will too," Ashok ran his fingers over it carefully. "I am going to put it in the kitchen," he rushed to do so.
"This is just one of the many things they do on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I am sorry I forgot to give it to you last night," Nasir expressed.
"Rick will be surprised when he gets home," Ashok was perfectly fine with that prospect.
"Now I must call for a car," Nasir put his worn clothes into his suitcase and closed it up. He stood up and turned to Ashok, who rushed into his arms.
"Nasir, thank you so much for everything you have done for me," Ashok pressed himself to the tall Arab.
"Ashok, it is nothing. I cost a man his life. A good man. A man you loved and who loved you," Nasir admitted his guilt.
"No," Ashok disagreed. "No, you didn't," he pulled back enough to look up at Nasir. "You didn't kill Pankaj. Bad men did. Men full of hate. Karma will repay them for what they did. You are a good man. You have given me everything."
Nasir just pulled Ashok's head back to his chest and rubbed his bare back.
Nasir was nervous, though he didn't know quite why he should be. Sadiq had brought his sister to Seattle to attend his very wedding no less. Clearly there was no objection to his seeing his sister. There couldn't possibly be any reason why he couldn't see her at her home, could there?
Nasir wore his suit jacket with a dress shirt and snug jeans. He rode through the streets of London in the back of a chauffeur driven Audi A8, just like the Prince of Wales. Though, the Prince, if he didn't have a motorcade, must at least have some security. Nasir certainly didn't need it as he rode from Kensington into Chelsea.
The first surprise when Nasir arrived at his sister's home, was the tall iron bar fence and gate surrounding the property. The driver pulled up to the gate and lowered his window. He reached out to touch the call button on the post that had been installed for that reason.
"Your name again, sir?" the driver asked.
"Nasir al Qasimi," Nasir answered as they heard the box ring.
"Yes?" demanded a gruff male voice that Nasir did not recognize.
"Nasir al Qasimi," the driver announced.
"One moment," the gruff voice directed. It was a long moment, during which Nasir grew ever more nervous, until, rather than return to the line and say anything, the gate swung open. The chauffeur drove them up the circle drive to the front door. Nasir did not wait and opened his own door. He got out of the car with a bouquet of fresh flowers in a beautiful Amalfi Coast ceramic vase that matched the platter he had given Rick and Ashok, just as the big front door of the house swung open.
"Hello," Nasir greeted.
An ugly man with a scarred, lined face and a nose that had clearly been broken multiple times blocked the doorway. He was very nearly Nasir's height and built much like Emmett in a tweed suit jacket that bulged from more than muscles.
"Who, who are you?" Nasir stumbled over his words.
"I'm Dwight. You Nasir al Qasimi?" Dwight asked.
"Yes," Nasir answered.
"Then come in," Dwight stepped aside. Nasir walked into the house and immediately shed his shoes by the rack of men and women's shoes just inside the spacious entry hall. Dwight closed the front door, but did not take off his shoes.
"Right in here," Dwight gestured to what would have been the formal living room.
"Oh," Nasir was filled with trepidation as he walked into the very private room. This room led onto no others and was set up in an all too familiar way. He had never been in this room, in this house, before now. Of course, Nasir had never called on the man of this house before either. He stood in the majlis for a moment while Dwight seated himself on a bench in clear view in the entry hall. Dwight picked up a newspaper and very casually flipped several pages in and began to read it.
Nasir set the flowers down on one of the small moroccan style tables and sat down on one of the couches along the side wall, nearest the long couch along the back wall. He felt like he was in some kind of alternate reality with the thug at the door, the gate and fence, and being shown into this room. Could Sadiq still be home this late in the morning? And where was his sister? Did she even know he was here?
"This place is a prison," Nasir realized under his breath.
A few minutes later, Nasir was startled and was quickly on his feet as a man walked around the corner and stopped in the wide archway into the room.
"Assalaam alaikum, brother," Nasir greeted automatically. Sadiq just stood rooted in place for a long moment and stared at him. He wore a pale blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dress pants. Only socks were on his feet. Like Nasir, Sadiq had what amounted to little more than well kept, trimmed scruff on his handsome face. Nasir had never been attracted to Arab men, but had to admit that his sister's husband was a fine specimen.
"Wa alaikum assalaam. Though you are no brother of mine," Sadiq spoke in Arabic. He walked past Nasir and seated himself on the long couch along the far wall. Once the master of the house was seated, Nasir was free to do so as well and sat back down where he had been.
"Congratulations, Sadiq! You are about to be a father!" Nasir enthused.
"Thank you. What are you doing here?" Sadiq wasted no time.
"I had business in Italy. I was passing through on my way home and wanted to see my sister," Nasir explained.
"What business do you have?" Sadiq furrowed his brow. He had not heard that Nasir was working.
"I am in construction again," Nasir was deliberately vague.
Sadiq just nodded slowly and stared at Nasir for a long moment. He didn't care where Nasir was working or what he was doing. There was only one thing he really cared about. "You disgust me."
"Sadiq...," Nasir began.
"What is wrong with you? Do you even know what you have done to your family?" Sadiq charged ahead. "Your father arranged a marriage to a fine woman for you, from a good family. Why have you done this?"
"Sadiq, I am gay," Nasir spread his hands. It was just as simple as that.
"Gay," Sadiq scoffed. "Why are you gay? I have known you most of my life. You are not gay. What is this nonsense?"
"I hid it from you, from everyone. I had to," Nasir stated.
"This does not make any sense," Sadiq shook his head. He could not see the obvious truth.
"Sadiq, do you remember when we were all in the States, in Las Vegas that time?" Nasir reminded.
"Yes?" Sadiq prompted.
"Do you remember when Kasim hired those whores?" Nasir continued.
"Lower your voice! And do not speak of such things in this house!" Sadiq chastised.
"I am sorry. Please forgive me. Why do you think I did not participate?" Nasir posed quietly.
"I thought that you were devout," Sadiq remembered the night of which Nasir spoke. "That you did not want to make yourself unclean."
"I drink alcohol," Nasir pointed out. "I drank alcohol with you. Kasim claims to be devout, but drinks alcohol like a fish and hires whores to suck his cock. Are those not also sins? Is my sin so much greater?"
Sadiq considered a moment and forged ahead. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing happened to me," Nasir shook his head. "Sadiq, when you were a young man, perhaps a teenager..."
"We do not speak of such things!" Sadiq grew heated, but just as quickly calmed himself. "Though, perhaps I need to with you. Of course I did, Nasir. We all did. When I was in my teens, even when I was twenty, but what you clearly fail to understand is that this is a thing done out of necessity. It is certainly not preferred!"
"Sadiq," Nasir was calm and patient, "what I am trying to explain to you is that for some of us it is."
"That is disgusting! Look at you! You are my nearly my age. You should be a husband and a father, as your brother is, as I am. But you prefer to be with a man!?" Sadiq could not wrap his head around it.
"That is what being gay means," Nasir continued to explain. "I am attracted to men, not women."
"Have you ever been with a woman?" Sadiq queried.
"No," Nasir admitted.
"There, then," Sadiq gestured. "Perhaps that is the problem. In spite of what you must know, an intelligent man of your age, you do not because you do not know any better. You have not tried. Perhaps I should find you a whore right now..."
"Sadiq, when you were a young man, you had some kind of sexual contact with other young men," Nasir tried a different tact. "You said that is not preferable, but I ask you why. Why do you say that?"
"Because it is obvious!" Sadiq did not understand the question.
"But do you say that because that is what you were taught to believe, or because you are, and always were, attracted to the opposite sex? Answer me honestly," Nasir bid.
"Of course I am attracted to the opposite sex! No one had to tell me that!" Sadiq was firm.
"Can you accept, will you consider, that some of us are not?" Nasir posed gently.
"You are saying that you feel attraction only for men? Your dick gets hard only for men? There is something very wrong with you, Nasir," Sadiq shook his head. "I don't know when whatever it was that happened to you."
"Sadiq, nothing happened to me. I was born this way. I am, and have always been, attracted to other men," Nasir explained.
"This is just sad," Sadiq shook his head.
"Why do you say that?" Nasir found that an unexpected response.
"You were the only member of my wife's family that I actually liked," Sadiq admitted. "We even joined you for a drink at your hotel that one time. I can't do that with anyone from the families! Though, we have very little to do with your family now, after what you did and the way your father behaved. Your mother is not happy, but she is welcome here anytime. The rest of them are not."
"I understand why you say that. I understand why you feel the way you do," Nasir accepted. "You must love my sister very much."
"Of course I do! She is my wife!" Sadiq gestured toward deeper in the house.
"I know you were allowed to meet with her only once or twice before you were married," Nasir recalled. "You did not know her when you married her."
"It is the way of things," Sadiq gave a shrug.
"But you grew to love each other. This is a wonderful thing that does not happen to everyone," Nasir pointed out. "I know that my sister loves you very much. She has told me how kind and gentle you are with her, that you are a good and loving husband."
"She says these things?" Sadiq's entire demeanor visibly softened. He was clearly touched. "I want to be a good husband. I try to be."
"I also want to thank you for bringing her to my wedding," Nasir expressed.
"Wedding," Sadiq scoffed, but softened again. "Samira said it was very beautiful."
"It was. I am as happy as you are, Sadiq. I am very much in love too," Nasir informed. "I could only wish that you had joined my sister that night."
"No," Sadiq held up his hands and shook his head. "It is enough to know that you are this way. I do not want to see you do it."
"See me do what? What do you think happened? We exchanged vows like they do here in the west. Samira must have told you," Nasir reasoned.
"She did," Sadiq admitted.
"If you think about it, Sadiq, we are not so different. It is not a terrible thing to be gay, it is just one small difference," Nasir tried to explain. "We love our life partners. We have close, very good friends. We have fulfilling lives and careers. Some chose to be fathers, as you will soon be. We have friends right here in London who are fathers to a very sweet, beautiful little girl. Theirs is a very healthy and loving family that just happens to have two parents who are both fathers."
"That is increasingly common here it seems," Sadiq admitted. "Business is different here. Here sometimes there is a dinner or other function where it is appropriate to bring your wife. I have a business associate that I had no idea was like you. That topic just never came up. He is from the Caribbean. We had a dinner and when I expected to meet his wife, there was a white man by his side. Samira spent the entire evening with him talking about her gay brother."
"I have a picture of Emmett on my desk in my office," Nasir smiled at the thought as he brought the picture to mind. "The day will come when he will meet all of my colleagues."
"That is his name, Emmett?" Sadiq asked.
"Yes. He is a good and loving husband, just like you are," Nasir pointed at him.
Sadiq slowly nodded to himself. "Samira wants you to be here when our baby is born."
"I would love that. Emmett would too," Nasir expressed.
"My father has forbidden it. He has heard all about you, of course," Sadiq took a deep breath. "But it is not up to him."
"We would be forever grateful, Sadiq, and we will be very good uncles," Nasir pledged.
"I don't know about that," Sadiq raised his eyebrows.
"Will you be in the delivery room when your baby is born?" Nasir asked.
"Why would I do that?" Sadiq furrowed his brow. "That is no place for a man. That is for the mothers and sisters."
"We will come as fast as we can and be wherever you or Samira will allow us," Nasir promised. "Though, I do think you should consider being with her. You are her husband. You are the father of her child. I think she would want you to be with her."
"I don't know," Sadiq shook his head.
"My best friend's brother was in the delivery room when his daughter was born and never tires of telling anyone who will listen that he was the very first person in the world to hold her," Nasir relayed. "They are pregnant again and he very much intends to be the first person to hold his next child as well."
"When you put it like that, it is a tempting prospect," Sadiq considered.
As the men spoke in the majlis, in the big, glass paneled solarium on the back of the house, Samira sat reading a magazine in what light the drizzly sky gave her. She checked her watch and decided it was time to head for the kitchen. She needed to start thinking about making something for lunch. Sadiq worked hard to provide a nice home for them and he would be getting hungry.
Samira walked into the kitchen and thought she could hear voices. She paused to listen. Samira could hear two people speaking, but the words were in Arabic, so she knew Sadiq was not speaking to any of the staff. From the timbre of the other voice, there was no question it was another man with Sadiq. And there was something about the other man's voice that seemed familiar. They were too far away for her to make out what they were saying.
Samira walked through the kitchen and toward the front of the house. The French doors to Sadiq's study stood open and the room was empty. There could be only one other place Sadiq was speaking with another man, and if they were in there, she knew better than to disturb them. The majlis was a place for her husband to receive and speak with other men. Samira turned to head back to the kitchen, but stopped dead in her tracks and gasped as she recognized the second voice.
"Nasir!" Samira appeared in the archway of the majlis.
"Samira!" Nasir was immediately on his feet. Sadiq remained sitting where he was as Samira and Nasir rushed into each other's arms. He could not help but smile as he saw what joy his wife's brother brought her.
"Look at you! You are showing!" Nasir was thrilled. Samira wore a loose sweater and elastic waist pants.
"I am," Samira put one hand on where her child grew. "But where did you come from? You did not tell me you were coming!"
"I was in Italy on business," Nasir answered.
"Is Emmett with you?" Samira gripped her brother's arms, excited at the prospect of seeing him as well.
"He is not," Nasir shook his head.
"Are these for me?" Samira had noticed the flowers that stood forgotten on one of the low tables.
"They are," Nasir confirmed as he picked them up. "For both of you," he amended.
"What a pretty vase," Samira accepted them from her brother.
"It is from the Ceramiche Artistiche di Liguori in Vietri sul Mare, Amalfi Coast, Italy," Nasir informed.
"Oh, they need water! I will be right back," Samira turned and strode from the room.
"That was a nice gesture," Sadiq recognized as Nasir sat back down. "You made her happy. The flowers and vase, and you."
"I hope so," Nasir smiled. "She deserves to be happy."
"She does," Sadiq agreed with a slow, contemplative nod. "You have confounded your brother," he changed the subject.
"Oh?" Nasir was wary at any mention of his dreaded older brother.
"Last I heard, your father was still adamant that you go home and Kasim has been trying to make that happen," Sadiq relayed.
"I know it was Kasim who had my visa revoked," Nasir stated with surety.
"He does not understand why that didn't work," Sadiq revealed. "They don't know how you are able to stay in the United States."
"Suffice it to say, I have well placed friends," Nasir wanted to say no more.
"This has something to do with your wedding?" Sadiq asked.
"My marriage is not a legal one. Equality did not exist in the state where we live at the time, though it does now," Nasir explained. "I married Emmett because I wanted to. He is the person I was destined to marry and spend the rest of my life with. It has nothing to do with my immigration status."
"A marriage between two men," Sadiq shook his head. "Who has ever heard of such a thing, and yet we have that here now too," he gestured out the windows.
"Equality is spreading across the western world, Sadiq," Nasir advised.
"Equality!" Sadiq scoffed. "What is the point of this thing? How do you and Emmett have children? You cannot get pregnant! Neither can he!"
"Marriage is not just for children, Sadiq," Nasir countered.
"Of course it is," Sadiq dismissed.
"That is where our philosophies differ. I believe marriage is a societal foundation. It is a legal union. It conveys permanence and legitimacy," Nasir explained. "Was Samira any less your wife before she became pregnant? Certainly it is wonderful when children are produced within this framework, but they are not an essential component."
"It is nonsense you speak," Sadiq was unconvinced.
"What if two older people who are past childbearing years get married?" Nasir posed. "A man and a woman. Do you say to them that their marriage is invalid? Of course not. That would not enter anyone's mind, but under your definition, their marriage would be no less valid than mine. And I will go further. We have close friends in Seattle. Two women. They are a couple and have two children. Their union has produced children, but they are two women. Is their marriage invalid?"
"Two women? Where are the fathers? Who are the fathers? These children are bastards," Sadiq concluded.
"As it happens, the fathers are very much in those children's lives, but are seen as uncles. The children have two parents. They have a very stable and loving family home," Nasir asserted.
"There," Samira returned with the vase. "I cut every stem to make sure they last as long as possible," she placed the properly arranged bouquet back on the central, small table.
"You have made them even more beautiful," Sadiq complimented.
"Thank you. May I sit with you?" Samira asked. In answer, Sadiq reached out his hand to her with a smile. Samira immediately seated herself close by her husband's side.
"We were just speaking of marriage," Sadiq held his wife's hand in his lap.
"Oh? I still wish you would have come in with me at Nasir's wedding," Samira expressed. "If not for the ceremony, at least for the reception. Emmett is a good and loving man. It is very easy to see how much he loves Nasir."
"I do not doubt that he is a good and loving man. The fact remains that he is a man," Sadiq made the point.
"And if you could have just seen all the people," Samira was undeterred. "Nasir and Emmett are both loved very much."
"If Nasir had refused his father and married an American woman, this would be a terrible thing, but it would be easier to swallow," Sadiq posed.
"That would be easier for you to accept?" Nasir asked.
"Mostly because I understand wanting to be with the one you love," Sadiq looked at Samira. "I am the most fortunate man in the world. I did not know this wonderful woman when she became my wife. I knew of her. I knew she was from a good family. I knew it was a well arranged marriage and I was grateful to my father and yours. I knew she was very beautiful. But then she made me fall in love with her. I had no choice."
"You made me fall in love with you. I had no choice," Samira countered. "I am grateful to your mother and father for teaching you to be such a good man."
Sadiq chuckled and shook his head. "My father taught me to treat women with great care and kindness because of the treasures that they are, but that they are property, not people. I do not think that way. I treasure Samira because she is my wife and she is very much a person. A kind and loving and beautiful person. If it is my son you carry in your belly, I will teach him to think as I do."
"What will you teach him about his gay uncle?" Samira spoke softly.
Sadiq took a deep breath as he considered. "There are gay people everywhere," he looked at Nasir for a long moment. "Even in our own family. I do not understand it, but his uncle is a good man who deserves to be happy."
Samira wanted to cry and squeezed her husband's hand tightly.
"Sadiq, I want to hug you right now," Nasir expressed.
"Stay where you are," Sadiq held out his hand in a halting gesture.
"Do not be afraid, Sadiq," Nasir laughed. "I am not attracted to Arab men."
"A thing for which I am suddenly very grateful," Sadiq laughed himself for the first time.
"May I take both of you to lunch?" Nasir requested. "Is there a nice place around here?"
"That would be so nice! What about that place in the Wyndham that overlooks the harbor?" Samira proposed. "That is one of my favorite places."
"If that is what you desire," Sadiq agreed easily. "But no seafood for you."
"I know," Samira patted his knee and rose from the couch. "I will just go and put on a dress so that I am presentable when I go out with my handsome men," she announced as she headed out of the majlis.
"She will fuss with her hair and be quite a while," Sadiq advised. "Join me in the office," he invited as he stood. "I can get some work done while we wait."
"I never have that problem, Sadiq," Nasir rose to follow. "Two men are ready quickly and go," he pointed out. While this was the case for him and Emmett, Nasir omitted the fact that it was not true for all gay couples. He well knew that Garrett often waited a good while for Seth to get ready to go out as well.
"And suddenly I wish that I was gay!" Sadiq spread his arms in his sarcastic epiphany. "I should have married you," he thumped Nasir on the chest with the knuckles of one hand.
"I would not have married you," Nasir shook his head. "I do not like Arab men," he added as they walked past the seated Dwight in the entry hall. Dwight continued to read his newspaper and ignored them as they ignored him.
"You would fall to your knees for me and you know it," Sadiq boasted.
"Well, as you pointed out, Samira will be a few minutes," Nasir teased.
"Ha!" Sadiq clapped Nasir on the back. "Son of a camel!" he all but shoved Nasir into the study. Sadiq was still laughing as he rounded his desk and sat down in his chair. Nasir made himself comfortable in an upholstered armchair in the corner of the richly paneled room. He was thrilled that he was now at a place where he could joke with his brother-in-law. Sadiq certainly wasn't Justin Thompson, and would probably never get to that point, but with luck he could have a relationship with Sadiq that was similar to the one he had with Carson McCarty. Of course, Sadiq would never be as hot in Nasir's eyes as Carson.
It was a good thirty minutes before Samira returned to the first floor. She wore an attractive blue dress and her raven hair had been primped to perfection. The dress was just as a muslim woman in the west would wear, below her knee without any slit, three quarter sleeves, and a modest neckline. She did not bother with a headscarf. Though she always wore one back in the Emirates, Samira never did in London. While her father would have objected strenuously, her husband didn't mind at all. Samira once looked up to her father. Once he was the biggest, strongest, wisest man she knew, but he had been replaced. Now Sadiq held that position in her life. This was Sadiq's house. This was Sadiq's family. The rules were Sadiq's to make. And he was a good and kind man.
"Boys, I'm ready," Samira called in English from the entry hall. Sadiq and Nasir walked out of the study to join her. Samira handed her husband the suit jacket she brought down that matched the pants she knew he was wearing.
"Shukran," Sadiq gave his wife a soft kiss on her lips as he donned his suit jacket. They all walked forward and stepped into their shoes. Dwight was on his feet as they did so and opened the front door for them.
"Car's out front," Dwight informed. "Sir, Mum," he was respectful to his employers.
"What is this?" Sadiq pointed to the Audi parked in front of his BMW.
"My car. I will take us," Nasir offered.
"No, no. You do not need this anymore. You can dismiss it," Sadiq instructed.
"I am flying out this evening from Heathrow," Nasir added.
"Curtis will take you," Sadiq gestured toward his chauffeur who stood by with the man from the hired car.
"My suitcase...," Nasir pointed.
"Dwight, get my brother's suitcase," Sadiq directed.
"I will no longer need you," Nasir informed his driver.
"I will need you to sign, Sir," the driver stated.
"Certainly," Nasir agreed. The driver opened the trunk for Dwight to effortlessly lift Nasir's heavy suitcase out of the car. Nasir signed the final bill and tipped the man.
"There. Are we hungry?" Nasir rubbed his hands together.
"I am," Samira confirmed. It seemed like no matter how much she ate, the baby always wanted more.
Curtis, in his dark gray uniform suit, opened the passenger side doors of the 750Li. Dwight took Nasir's suitcase and briefcase into the house and stood by in the open doorway.
"He is not coming with us?" Nasir pointed.
"His job is to protect the house," Sadiq informed. "Curtis is armed."
"Oh," Nasir raised his eyebrows. "Did you want me to sit in front?"
"Men sit in front. I should not have to tell you this," Sadiq let a hint of his smirk play at the corner of his lips.
"Sadiq, are you impugning Nasir's masculinity?" Samira frowned.
"Are you rebuking your husband in front of people?" Nasir asked his sister. "You have been in the west too long, young lady," he shook his finger at her.
"Oh!" Samira gave a dismissive wave and got in the car. Nasir and Sadiq both laughed and slid into the car themselves. Curtis shut their doors and took the wheel.
"We are going to the Wyndham," Sadiq informed their driver.
"Yes, Sir," Curtis put the car in gear. The car had been synched with the gate and with the touch of a button, the gate swung open.
"Why all the security, Sadiq?" Nasir asked.
"I hate it," Samira did not hesitate to comment.
"The whole world must know of the riots that took place here," Sadiq asserted.
"Well, yes, but, was that close by?" Nasir was alarmed.
"No," Samira answered.
"Close enough," Sadiq affirmed. "How am I to leave for work knowing an armed band of chavs could come along at any moment while my wife is home alone? No. Unacceptable. That is why there is a fence. That is why I hired Dwight."
"It is nice that Sadiq works from home most days," Samira added.
"I like it too," Sadiq agreed. He looked back at his wife with a sly smile. Nasir knew there was more to that and was sure he knew what it was. He took his sister's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She squeezed right back and that told him all he needed to know.
They pulled up to the front entrance of the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour Hotel and doormen opened the passenger doors of the BMW. Sadiq took his wife's hand to help her from the car and held her hand as they walked into and through the hotel to the restaurant overlooking the harbor.
They were seated at a table at the floor to ceiling windows with a view onto the yacht basin, in comfortable blue velvet upholstered chairs. Samira would not drink while her baby grew inside her, though she wouldn't have at this time of day anyway, and the men did not either. She had the Gressingham smoked duck salad while the men both opted for the English lamb steak. They had pleasant conversation over hopes for their baby and plans for all of their future. Nasir was elated. Not only was he going home to his husband, but his beloved little sister, from whom he had been too long estranged, along with her husband, would no longer be minor characters in his life. He could not wait to call Emmett and share his joy.
Nasir lingered over coffee with his sister and brother-in-law until he was simply out of time. Sadiq's driver took them home to drop them off and pick up Nasir's luggage. Nasir got out of the car with them as Dwight brought the suitcase out to the car.
"I'm so happy that you came," Samira hugged her brother.
"I am too, Samira," Nasir held her for a long moment. "It is always good to see you. You are a balm to my spirit," he added as he rested his cheek on the top of her head. Sadiq stood by and watched his wife with her brother, patiently giving them all the time they needed.
"Nasir," Sadiq offered Nasir his hand when he finally let Samira go. He grasped Nasir's hand and pulled him close. Sadiq put his left hand on Nasir's right shoulder and Nasir did the same to him. Sadiq kissed Nasir's right cheek, and then left, giving him the proper greeting Emirati men gave each other as he should have done when Nasir arrived. Nasir kissed Sadiq on both cheeks and then held on tightly to the man's hand and shoulder. This gesture meant so much to him. He didn't want to let the other man go.
"Alright now," Sadiq patted Nasir's shoulder. "Stop holding my hand," he teased with a grin as he let go of Nasir and stepped back to put an arm around his wife.
"I love you both," Nasir moved into the open rear door of the BMW.
"Maasalaamah," Sadiq gave Nasir a wave as he bid him to go in peace without fear.
"Fi aman Allah," Nasir called the proper response of wishing Allah to protect them as he slid into the car. Curtis shut Nasir in and walked around to take the wheel.
It was as pleasant a drive as possible to Heathrow and Nasir arrived in plenty of time. Curtis drove him to the curb in Zone J for First Departures where Nasir showed his ticket and his personal porter took charge of his luggage. Nasir tipped Curtis as he would anyone who drove him and had to insist the man take it. He was then escorted to the First Desk where he displayed his passport and checked his bag. Nasir's personal escort then took him through Fast Track Security for First and Club World customers, and then to the escalator up to the Concorde Room.
Nasir poured himself a glass of champagne and found a quiet corner of the Concorde bar, where he took a seat and pulled out his cell.
"Hi, Babe!" Emmett's excited voice answered. "I didn't think I'd hear from you this morning."
"I am at the airport all checked in and waiting for my flight," Nasir informed.
"No problems, right?" Emmett was still a little nervous.
"None at all," Nasir assured.
"Hi, Nasir," Seth's voice came through.
"Sethy is there?!" Nasir was surprised.
"You caught us in the car. Seth is driving me in," Emmett informed. "It's early and he's sleepy. He hasn't brushed his hair yet. He's so cute. I'll put you on speaker. There."
"Good morning, Emira," Nasir expressed.
"Yeah, yeah. Get your dumb ass home," Seth commanded. "We all miss you."
"I miss you too. Habibi, give Sethy a hug for me, and Sethy, please deliver a tight hug to Garrett," Nasir bid.
"What about when I lick his balls?" Seth asked.
"That is from you," Nasir laughed.
"And when I take his cock down my throat?" Seth played on.
"All you," Nasir stated.
"Okay, the hug can be from you," Seth agreed.
"Just for the record, I'm not lickin' Seth's balls," Emmett was firm.
"Oh, so you'll swallow my cock, but not lick my balls?!" Seth gave faux offence. "I require full service!" he jabbed a finger into Emmett's solid thigh.
"You can get it somewhere else," Emmett advised.
"I get it at home! I don't need you," Seth dismissed.
"The best thing about Garrett's dick down your throat is that you can't talk!" Emmett teased.
"Oh, har de har. You wanna walk the rest of the way from here?" Seth threatened.
"Why would Nasi want to come home to this?" Emmett complained.
"I miss you both so much I cannot even tell you," Nasir expressed. "All three of you. You are my family."
"We like it when all our family is together, so come home once in awhile," Seth gave Nasir a hard time.
"I will be there for your party, Emira," Nasir assured. "Only a fool would miss such an event. And I hope I can stay home for the week."
"Can you?!" Emmett was elated at that prospect. "Oh, Nasi, I would love that!"
"I would too," Nasir agreed completely.
"And, speaking of family, did you get to see Samira?" Emmett asked.
"I did," Nasir confirmed.
"How is she? No pregnancy issues?" Emmett well knew this was her first.
"She is wonderful. I also saw Sadiq," Nasir informed.
"You did?" Emmett was wary. "How was he?"
"He kissed me," Nasir revealed.
"I'm sorry, he what?" Emmett enquired with raised eyebrows.
"Not the way you kiss me, or the way Garrett and Sethy kiss me. The way an Arab man kisses another Arab man," Nasir clarified. "You may have never seen me do that," he realized aloud. "Anyway, he was home when I did not expect him to be. He accepted me into his home when he could have turned me away. He was decidedly unpleasant at first, but we finally had a chance to speak, brother to brother. I think that he understands now. And he loves Samira and wants her to be happy. I am sure we will be allowed to come when the baby is born, though we are sure to run into family members who won't like it and won't be pleasant. And you would be the only white man there, aside perhaps from hospital staff. If you do not want to go..."
"Put that thought right out of your mind. My place is by your side. That's where I'll be," Emmett assured.
"You know I would love that," Nasir stated.
"Okay, I'm at work. I gotta go now. I love you. I'll see you tonight. Make sure we have a limo, 'cause I'm not waiting till we get into the city," Emmett admonished.
"It is already arranged, my habibi zawji," Nasir advised. "And I love you too."
"Okay, Bye, Babe," Emmett had to get to work, but was loathe to hang up.
"Bye, Nasir," Seth added.
"Bye, Sethy," Nasir finally ended the call. He took a deep breath as he put his cell away. His entire body ached for Emmett. It was not only an emotional need, but a physical one as well. Nasir left his Louis Vuitton Documents Voyage tote next to his seat and obtained another glass of champagne.
"Mr. al Qasimi," a smiling Concorde Room attendant approached him over an hour later. "Your flight to New York is now boarding. Shall I escort you?"
"Not at all," Nasir stood. "I know right where it is. Thank you," he smiled and set off.
It was not a long walk to Gate A12 and in less than fifteen minutes he was comfortably seated in compartment 3K up in the nose of the 747-400. His jacket was hung up for him and the flight attendant brought him yet another glass of champagne. Nasir relaxed and was not even aware of the smile on his face as he looked forward to meeting his husband in New York.
"Would you like another glass of champagne, Mr. al Qasimi?" the smiling flight attendant returned some time later. He was a clean cut, dark haired, pretty boy ken doll not quite Nasir's height and all crisp and proper in his uniform.
"Oh, yes," Nasir lifted his empty glass. He hadn't even noticed that he finished it while his mind was so far away, thinking about what he wanted to do with, and more importantly to, Emmett this weekend. Nasir also became acutely aware that the bulge in his jeans was significant. He was as hard as he could get trapped down his pantleg the way he was, and he could feel that he was already leaking.
"I'll just fetch the bottle," the flight attendant headed for the galley.
Nasir looked around the cabin and realized that everyone was present and seated and getting fresh drinks. Now he thought about it, it seemed like they had been waiting to depart for some time. Nasir checked his phone for the time.
"Now, you'll need to put that away," ken doll admonished in a playful manner as he picked up Nasir's flute and refilled it.
"I see that our departure time has come and gone. Do you know when we will be getting underway?" Nasir asked.
"Just waiting for clearance, Sir. I'm Freddy and I am very much at your service for our flight this evening," Freddy gave Nasir a very meaningful smile and held onto Nasir's flute a few seconds too long as he handed it over.
"Thank you," Nasir was deliberately neutral.
"It would be my pleasure," Freddy chose his words carefully before he moved on to see to another passenger.
Nasir sipped his champagne and waited.
And waited.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking," came the voice over the speakers. "I would like to welcome you aboard and apologize for the delay we are currently experiencing. We expect to depart in another thirty minutes and very much appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you."
Nasir took another deep breath and considered. Another half hour wouldn't make him that late. He would still be able to meet Emmett when he landed, if he hurried. And if he did not get held up at passport control.
The gathering dusk outside his windows gave way to night as the half hour came and went.
And went again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain. Maintenance is currently addressing a minor issue and should give us the all clear shortly. We should depart in another half hour. We apologize again and thank you for your continued patience."
Nasir started to tap on the arm of his seat. Now he would never make it to Emmett's terminal before he landed and worried. "Damn it," Nasir muttered under his breath.
"Something from the galley while we wait, Sir?" Freddy appeared at Nasir's side once again.
"No," Nasir was gruff in his annoyance.
"Anxious to get home? Important business perhaps?" Freddy tried to make conversation as he leaned on the wall of Nasir's compartment. Nasir didn't want to make conversation, but Freddy's attempt made him aware that he was an Arab who appeared anxious on a commercial aircraft. This was a decidedly not good recipe for getting into the United States easily. If he wasn't hauled off of this plane before they even shut the damn door finally.
"I am going home to my family," Nasir answered as he forced himself to visibly relax.
"They must miss you too," Freddy smiled warmly.
"Yes," Nasir nodded.
"Well, again," Freddy put his hand on Nasir's shoulder, "if you desire anything at all, I am completely at your service, Mr. al Qasimi."
"Thank you, Freddy," Nasir smiled back and reached up to run his fingers over Freddy's hand. Some harmless flirting with this flight attendant to ensure his goodwill would cost him nothing. Freddy continued to smile down on Nasir and moved his hand just enough so that he could brush his fingers against the side of Nasir's neck before he moved on to check on the next passenger. Nasir rolled his eyes and shook his head. There was, of course, a time when Nasir would have jumped at the chance to fuck a hot flight attendant who offered himself this way. But that was before he met Emmett in the Mojave Desert. That was before the most beautiful man on the planet looked into his eyes with those crystal blues and the very Earth shifted on it's axis. That was before he married the man he once dared not even dream of.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain again. We apologize for the continued delay. Maintenance is addressing a faulty sensor. We do anticipate departure in another thirty minutes and very much appreciate your continued patience as we ready our aircraft for take off. Thank you," the Captain spoke again.
Nasir closed his eyes and let his head rest back against his seat. He could hear the grumbling of other passengers around him. The best that could be hoped for at this point was a three hour delay. Nasir was very aware that he dare not express his frustration on this plane as others were beginning to, but he was not bitter at the injustice of it. Other Arabs made the flying public wary if not afraid. It wasn't his fault, but it wasn't theirs either.
Out his windows another aircraft at an adjacent gate was pushed back and Nasir found himself green with envy. While not size of this 747-400, it was still a good sized plane. Nasir surmised it might be a 777, which certainly had the range to take him to New York. At this point Emmett would be at the apartment and sound asleep by the time he got there. And this prospect, while not what they wanted and planned, had a certain appeal. Emmett would of course be naked. Nasir well knew that when Emmett went days saving it for him, he didn't get totally soft. This thought made Nasir's jeans grow tight again. He was completely unaware of his smile as he imagined Emmett sound asleep in their bed, his big, muscular, powerful body at ease and vulnerable. He imagined wrapping his lips around Emmett's bloated cock. Nasir let his tongue moisten his full lips as he let his mind recall the scent, taste and feel of his husband's long, thick, uncut penis. Nasir had to swallow the saliva that pooled in his mouth. He needed Emmett's cock in his throat with his very soul. Nasir opened his eyes and looked around the cabin again. He was ready to offer the pilot a million dollars if he would just take off now and forget whatever the fuck it was that was wrong.
It was just over three hours after their scheduled departure time when the final announcement came.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain one final time. I must regretfully inform you that due to mechanical difficulties, this flight is now cancelled. British Airways apologizes for this unavoidable inconvenience. Please gather your belongings and deplane at this time. We kindly ask that you return to the ticket counter for rebooking. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and good night," the Captain dropped his bomb.
Nasir hung his head. Of course. He picked up his bag and rose, and just as quickly realized that he didn't have his suit jacket.
"Here we are, Mr. Qasimi," Freddy approached with Nasir's suit jacket in hand.
"Thank you," Nasir reached for it.
"I'll help you. Turn round," Freddy bid. Nasir turned and stuck his hands into his sleeves as Freddy slipped his suit jacket up into place on his shoulders.
"There we are," Freddy made a point of running his hands over Nasir's shoulders and when Nasir turned, pretended to primp Nasir's lapels to do the same to Nasir's chest. "Pity we won't be able to spend the evening together. Of course, I won't be flying until tomorrow now and if you don't get another flight, I would be delighted to keep you company."
"That will not be necessary," Nasir gave the man a small smile and headed for the yet open hatch. He didn't need this forward flight attendant's goodwill now and would never think of him again.
Nasir walked around several slower, older people in the jetbridge. He knew there was one later flight than his and prayed it hadn't left yet. Once out in the Gate, rather than head for the ticket counter in the terminal, Nasir headed back to the escalator up to the Concorde Room. They could help him just as much as the ticket counter could and it was not half the distance.
"Oh, Mr. al Qasimi," the smiling blonde woman at the Concorde front desk buzzed him back in and remembered him. "I'm so terribly sorry about your flight."
"The later flight. Is there any space?" Nasir put his hands flat on the counter and made a concerted effort not to appear desperate.
"Already departed, I'm afraid," she genuinely sounded sorry as she typed at her keyboard. "I'm glad you came up here straight away. There are two seats left on the eight thirty tomorrow morning. I'll just confirm one of those for you, shall I? You'll have seat four F."
"I appreciate that, but is there anything out tonight, on anyone?" Nasir asked.
"American Airlines departs from Terminal 3, but their last flight is already in the air as well. I'm so sorry, Mr. al Qasimi. Shall I reserve you a room at the Sofitel?" she asked as she picked up the desk phone handset.
Nasir hesitated a moment. He wasn't ready to admit defeat.
"Mr. al Qasimi?" she asked again.
"Yes," Nasir gave in. "Yes, please," he curled his hands into fists and leaned down on the marble counter on his elbows. Nasir just wanted to go home to Emmett. Why did that have to be so damn difficult?
"Hi, Joyce, it's Sally at Concorde. I have a VIP who needs a room tonight. One seven nine got cancelled. You may have a rush of walk ins," Sally advised.
"Do they have anything on the club floor?" Nasir asked.
"What do we have with Millésime Lounge access?" Sally relayed. "Only a junior suite left."
"I will take it," Nasir pulled out his wallet and handed over his Centurion Card.
"We'll take that, Joyce, thank you. Last name is Qasimi, q-a-s-i-m-i, first name Nasir, n-a-s-i-r, and I'm going to read you his credit card number," Sally secured the room for him. "There we are. All set," she hung up the phone and placed his card on the counter when she was finished. "I'm so sorry again about your flight."
"Not your fault," Nasir shook his head. He was determined not to be unpleasant to this caring and helpful person. "Do I need to get my bag?"
"They'll be removing the luggage from the disabled aircraft as we speak," Sally informed. "Shall I just have it rechecked for your morning flight for you?"
"Yes, please," Nasir agreed as he replaced his credit card and tucked his wallet back into his jacket pocket.
"Shall I have someone escort you to the hotel?" Sally offered.
"I know where it is," Nasir refused. The 650 room hotel was impossible to miss as you drove up to Terminal 5. "Do they have a good scotch, I mean, Islay whisky in their lounge?"
"One would hope, but if they don't, you're certainly welcome to come back and spend as long as you like with us," Sally smiled.
"Thank you for your help and kindness. This is possibly goodnight," Nasir mustered a smile.
"Goodnight, Mr. al Qasimi. I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day," Sally bid.
Nasir gave her a final wave and headed back out to the long escalator. He pulled out his cell and checked the time. It was too late to call. Emmett would be in the air by now, as he should be. Unless by some conspiracy of the Universe, Emmett's flight had been cancelled as well. Nasir touched the picture of his husband to dial him and was almost relieved when it went straight to voicemail. Nasir ended the call. He didn't want to just leave a message that Emmett would hear when he landed in New York. And what would he say? 'Hello, my beautiful habibi zawji that I love more than life. I'm not coming home. You're on your own. Bye.' It sickened him that Emmett was even now flying all the way to New York to be with him and he would not be there. Emmett would get off his plane, expecting his husband's loving arms to greet him, but instead there would be nothing. Emmett would be hurt and disappointed and sad, and there would be absolutely no one there for him and it made Nasir want to cry.
Unless... Nasir called up another number and put the phone to his ear.