"That was some dinner that your parents threw," Nadia said patting, her stomach. "I don't believe I've ever been been so full."
"You'll get used to it," Aeon said smiling. "I enjoy seeing my parents for a few hours, because as you know, I haven't been home in a long time. I intend to start visiting more often in the future, especially after we start having children. They deserve to get to know their grandchildren."
"Yeah, I believe your mother said it had been about 20 years and that to me is a long time," Nadia said.
"It is to a mortal, but not really to an immortal, Nadia," Aeon said. "A mere two decades can and will pass in the blink of an eye."
"I'm glad I stayed in Egypt now or we might never have met and believe me from my point of view that would've been tragic," Aeon said.
"From mine too. Of course, in my case, I wouldn't have known you even existed so I suppose, I wouldn't have known what I was missing," Nadia agreed, as the two headed back to the hotel that Aeon had gotten a room at. It was a five star of course and Nadia had never been somewhere so nice before. To be truthful, she never really stayed in a hotel at all before either so didn't really know a lot about different places to stay.
There had been no honeymoon with Azim like she knew western culture believed in. She knew it was considered kind of a vacation before the newly married couple settled down and started having children. Other than that, she didn't really know much about it, though she might just ask Aeon what he knew about it.
"I never thought I would get over losing Azim after all we had only been married a few years, but then, you changed my mind. The fact that you helped Amira get over the desert fever told me you were a good person, and also the fact that my father trusted you only helped."
"It was my pleasure to help Amira and would have been, even if we had never met Nadia. I know it only helps that your brother is grateful to me for what I did for his daughter, so he didn't object to us being together, because I wasn't Arabic which is already one strike against me and I'm also not Medjai, which would normally, be strike two. I'm well aware that people can be prejudiced if you're not the same ethnicity they are or if you don't have the same beliefs. I might not be Medjai, but because I'm a healer and I'm always willing to lend a hand at no cost, that gives me a special exemption with your people."
"My tribe isn't rich, even if I'm well aware there's a treasure buried with Hamunaptra, but no true Medjai would ever go after it and not only because of the curses that are supposed to be part of that ancient, buried city."
"Being wealthy brings its own brand of crazies. Trust me, I know," Aeon said in a knowing tone.
"So that means you have money then," Nadia tentatively inquired as it was very bold of her to ask such a question, even if they were technically engaged.
"Yes, I do, as I've invested well and I'm older than I look. Also, I live very simply compared to some of my family so I can afford to buy you a nice engagement ring which will take care of tomorrow."
"So you said your cousin, Marcus is a jeweler," Nadia said, remembering that conversation.
"Yes, he is and he's very good at what he does, but we'll have to hop a short flight as he doesn't live here in Florida, but in New York at the moment."
"That is a long way to go just to get me an engagement ring. I'm sure they're plenty of jewelry stores here," Nadia suggested.
"There are, but Marcus will give me a discount and it'll give me a chance to see him and his mate Emily and their children," Aeon said. "I don't mind the trip or the money spent on first class tickets."
"Well, at least I'll get to see a little of New York," Nadia gave in without arguing any farther as Aeon's mind was set.
"We'll go back sometime and we can see all the sites," Aeon promised. "We'll likely even live there at some point, since we're basically immortal."
"I can hardly wait, but that's for later," Nadia said. "This is my first ever trip out of Egypt and the only place I've ever lived other than the village where I was born is Alexandria."
"I understand, we'll explore the world I promise," Aeon said, as they arrived at the hotel. "I'll never make you regret agreeing to marry me and be at my side for centuries to come."
"I could never regret that Aeon, as I love you so much but still, I'm looking forward to exploring different places in our centuries together," Nadia said.
"Believe me, so am I," Aeon said, as he parked in the parking lot of the hotel they were staying at and the doors to the rental car opened automatically as soon as he put the car in park. Nadia emerged from the car, not waiting for Aeon to help her.
"Let's go call my father to let him know we arrived safely," Nadia said. "We probably should've done that before we went to see your parents."
"We arrived just in time to rent a car and make it to my parents for dinner so we really didn't have time for anything more," Aeon said. "If we had gotten an earlier shuttle flight then we would have but we didn't."
"I know we couldn't make it for an earlier flight unfortunately," Nadia said. "That's one of the problems with living so far out in the desert."
"Yeah, it is, as I had to go home and pack, which took some time and then make it to the airport. We barely made our flight as it is."
Nadia and Aeon entered the hotel lobby, and immediately taking the elevator up to their floor.
~~~Aeon and Nadia~~~
"Everything is fine here father," Nadia told her father over the vid screen. While the Medjai didn't believe in technology for the most part Nasir, as chief of the tribe did have a link. It turned out to be quite useful when Nadia and Azim had been living in Alexandria, but hadn't got much use in the last few years until now. It wasn't a fancy one, just a basic link to make calls when needed, so the picture was a bit fuzzy, but the sound on it was fine and that's what mattered.
"His parents were quite warm and welcoming, so there was no problems there and his godparents are also very nice," Nadia said.
"I told her there would be no problems from any of the above as finding your mate is practically sacred to my family," Aeon told Nasir. "There is no way they would've caused problems for us."
"I'm glad to know things are going so well." The relief Nasir's voice was very obvious to Nadia and Aeon both.
"His mother scolded him for not visiting over the last couple of decades," Nadia said in remembered amusement. "It was actually quite amusing. He promised to visit more often now that he's met me and I won't mind that at all as both his parents are really good cooks."
"My mother has my father beat when it comes to any dessert type items, but other than that, they're about equal. We'll be welcome whenever we decide to show up, even if we don't call first," Aeon added, smiling.
"So when will you be back?" Nasir asked.
"If it's OK with you, I'd like to show Nadia some of the city before we head back and she's never been out of Egypt. I know we'll be doing some traveling and everything, but we'll always consider Cairo home, even if we live other places for a few decades before returning," Aeon said.
"Well, technically, Nadia is free to do and go whatever she likes and needs no one's permission, but I do appreciate you contacting me to let me know that you're doing well," Nasir said.
"I say, let's stay for a few days, see some of the sites before we return to Cairo," Nadia suggested to Aeon who nodded. "I just want to see some of the city, since I've never been out of Egypt and I've only lived in one other city, which was still in the country."
"We'll let you know when we're set to return," Aeon said.
"His parents were really happy for their son that he met his mate and agreed to keep the guests to a minimum, as he has quite a lot of family," Nadia told her father.
"When you you know, you never get where you can't have children," Aeon said not saying the word immortal over the link but Nasir understood, because he nodded.
"Besides, I don't know most of them very well, so they probably wouldn't want to come, because they don't know me either, even if we are technically related," Aeon said.
"You can tell me all about it when you return home, even if that's six months from now," Nasir said.
"We won't be gone that long, I promise," Nadia said as she blew her father a kiss before signing off.
"So what now," Nadia asked.
"Well, we can watch a movie or something if you like or we can just go to bed, as I got a two room suite on purpose so that you would have your own place to sleep until we're married," Aeon said. "Tomorrow first thing, we're heading to New York, as I've already made a reservation, while you were in the bathroom. "We'll be going first class and our flight leaves at 10 AM so it'll be an early breakfast.
"Sounds OK to me," Nadia said. "I'll look forward to meeting your cousin Marcus and his wife Emily."
"They're looking forward to meeting you, as they know we're coming. I sent Marcus a text and he's already replied. He was very happy for me, because I finally met my mate and he met his sometime ago."
"Well, you just have everything taken care of don't you," Nadia said, smiling, kissing Aeon on the cheek.
"I wouldn't want to shock Marcus by just showing up at his jewelry stop out of the blue," Aeon defended himself laughingly. "Perhaps we can share lunch or dinner together after we get you an engagement ring and also a couple of wedding bands."
~~~Aeon and Nadia~~~
"Welcome to my humble shop," Marcus greeted Aeon and Nadia as they came in the door of Hotchner's Jewelry. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Marcus meet my mate Nadia Bay Rafiq," Aeon introduced. "Nadia meet my cousin Marcus Hotchner. Even though we're not technically related we consider the Hotchners our family."
"That's because my parents are the godparents for all the Rossi children," Marcus told Nadia with a slight smile. "The reverse is also true. So I've already selected some of our best rings for you so take your pick and if what you want isn't among the ones I've selected then there are others."
"I'm sure whatever you selected in advance that I will find one I like," Nadia said.
"Thanks to you texting me warning me you were coming, because that meant I had time to put a selection together," Marcus told his cousin, as he took multiple rings from beneath the counter each on their own little cushion.
They were all different types of engagement rings some with traditional diamonds, one with emeralds and rubies, and one was just rubies and Nadia also saw one with a huge opal.
"There is a lovely, but I don't really need anything so fancy," Nadia said.
"Nadia comes from a tribe that is still very primitive," Aeon explained to Marcus. "They are known as the Medjai and they used to be guards of the pharaohs back when Egypt had such things."
"That's true and we're still pretty primitive even today and live in a village that is hidden, though some people do manage to find us," Nadia agreed. "I'm not used to too much luxury or expensive things, even though I did live in Alexandria with my first husband who was murdered several years ago."
"I'm really sorry your husband was murdered, but I'm also glad that you were willing to let Aeon court you, as most of the humans like yourself, who are mates to one of us don't have such attachments," Marcus said. "I can also understand wanting something simpler since you come from such a background."
"In Cairo, wearing anything so ostentatious would only lead to trouble, as there are many thieves and cutthroats that would do their best to take it from me and sell it."
"She's right I'm afraid, as Egypt and general can be dangerous, even to someone like Nadia, who was born in the country and is aware of the dangers," Aeon said. "Thieves and murderers wouldn't care that she was a woman as that would just make her an easy target and though she wouldn't stay permanently dead, it's still not a good idea. What if she wakes up in the morgue or someone is standing over her body when she comes back to life?"
"The same thing could happen here, but I admit it probably won't," Marcus said.
"The people of Egypt might believe in the supernatural over there, but me coming back to life in front of someone would probably have them declare me a demon," Nadia said. "If that happened Aeon and I would either have to hide with my tribe or leave Egypt for at least a decade if not longer."
"A generation at least," Aeon agreed.
"I can do simpler since you won't be sticking to more civilized countries," Marcus said.
"Oh, the Egyptians are civilized enough, but that doesn't mean they're aren't some criminal elements that will slit your throat and then rob you blind if you can't defend yourself," Aeon said.
"You and your wife are invited to our wedding, which will be in Egypt," Nadia said. "If you don't want come then that's OK too."
"It will likely be in Cairo and if you're only staying for a few days, you're not likely to encounter those thieves and murders, we mentioned," Aeon said
"Emily will have my guts for garters if I don't agree to attend," Marcus said smiling at the thought of his mate. "Emily is something of a spitfire."
"Now, there is an expression I've never heard, guts for garters," Nadia said the words falling clumsily from her tongue
"It's a really old-fashioned and since you've never left Egypt, you probably never encountered anyone that used it," Marcus said, even as he gathered some more rings from their cases ones that were simpler in design and not so fancy. "Take a look at these," Marcus said and Nadia complied.
"These are better, not so fancy and more discreet," Nadia said, as she studied the rings laying on the counter. "I like this one," Nadia finally decided as she picked up a ring that had a small opal surrounded by tiny rubies in a classic setting of platinum.
"If that's the one you want then it's yours," Aeon said. "Now we just need to get two wedding bands for when we get married and we just put them up until that day comes."
"I'll be happy to show you some," Marcus said.
"I thought as long as you were here in New York for the day that you and Emily would like to go to lunch or dinner," Aeon told his cousin. "We don't get to see each other often enough and I would love to get to know Emily better."
"The only reason we don't get to see each other is you haven't been to the states, even for holidays, in years," Marcus told him in a light scolding tone. "Mom was just complaining to me a few months ago that they hadn't seen you in a couple of decades and if you didn't call every few weeks, we would think you were dead permanently."
"I've already promised mom that I'll visit more often, as Nadia wants to travel, since she's never been out of Egypt before this trip and I'm happy to accommodate her," Aeon said. "I just felt like I had a responsibility to the people of Egypt not necessarily just to the Medjai, to help out wherever I could when, somebody requested my services and knew about my ability.
"That's very good," Marcus said pleased. "Emily and I will be happy to do lunch or dinner with you, but I had better check with her to make sure she's free."
"So where is she? Looking after the kids?" Aeon wanted to know
"Yeah, she is, but she can leave them with the housekeeper, as they are old enough to behave for a couple of hours without one of us there," Marcus said, smiling at the thought of his family something he had never believed he would have, at least not until he had met Emily. "I'm not sure if she had anything planned with them or not, so I had better make sure."
"So who will run the jewelry store for you while we have lunch?" Nadia asked. "I don't want you to close just to share lunch with us."
"If I have to do that, it wouldn't hurt my business in the slightest as I take an hour lunch every day and if it's dinner, then it definitely won't be a problem, as I close by 6 o'clock or so anyway," Marcus promised. "There's nothing in the rules that say I can't take a early lunch break or even a late one, just that I get a lunch break if I want one. Besides, I can set my own rules since I own the business and I have no one to answer to, but myself. However, I can call Arnold to come and watch the store while I'm on lunch break as he's due to start his shift pretty soon anyway and won't mind coming in a little early if necessary."
"How is Arnold doing is I haven't seen him in years," Aeon asked.
"There is a reason you haven't, though," Marcus said, pointedly causing Aeon to roll his eyes at his cousin's reminder that he hadn't left Egypt in a couple of decades. "Arnie is just fine, though he has yet to meet his mate like I did and like you just recently have."
"I'm sure I would have heard gossip like that if Arnie had found a mate," Aeon said. "That kind of news would go through the family grapevine like fine wine."
"Who is Arnold?" Nadia wanted to know.
"Arnie Hotchner, is my brother, though we are of different generations," Marcus explained. "He's my assistant since we live in the same city for this generation anyway."
"Hearing you talk about different generations, is so strange to me," Nadia said. "I can understand why you do, but that doesn't mean it isn't a strange concept to someone like me."
"It won't seem strange very quickly, just give it time," Aeon said.
Marcus presented them with a selection of both men and women's wedding bands, and both Nadia and Aeon chose matching bands.
Aeon took out his credit card and handed it over to Marcus so he could ring everything up.
"Thank you for your business and now that all that official nastiness is out of the way I'll call Emily right quick," Marcus said.
"You choose where you want to eat, as you know New York and neither Nadia or I do," Aeon told Marcus. "We can catch up over lunch or dinner."
"If you watch the store for a few minutes while I go make that call, I would appreciate it," Marcus said.
"I'll be happy to, though I warn you I know nothing about jewelry," Aeon said.
"I won't be gone but a few minutes and if anybody comes in, you can come on back behind the counter and tell me that I have customers," Marcus said. "I'll handle it from there."
"It sounds simple enough," Nadia said, looking rather fascinated, but then she didn't have much experience even with regular things much less seeing behind the counter waiting for customers to enter the store.
"I'll be right back," Marcus said ducking into the room that was behind the counter that was covered in nothing but a curtain.
"So what do you think of Marcus," Aeon asked Nadia.
"I like him and I'm sure I'll like Emily too, as soon as we meet," Nadia said. "I didn't really expect not to because his parents are so nice, even though I only met them yesterday. It's clear they raised Marcus with love and discipline so he didn't grow up spoiled and I'm sure the same is true for all his siblings. Also, your parents raised you and all your siblings the same way, so I'm sure I'm gonna like your siblings and cousins as soon as we meet."
"It is, but my parents cannot be discounted in the equation of raising the Hotchner children, as well as their own, and the reverse is also true," Aeon said.
"Your family dynamic is strange to me, but then I realize that I don't have much experience in the world and I also never had children as Azim and I never had that opportunity," Nadia said.
"In a way, that's a shame, but in another it really is not as that means there were no children to object to us getting together," Aeon said.
"Yeah, I can see that happening. I know people can be misguided and even evil. Look at what happened to Azim after all," Nadia agreed after a moment of thought. "Really hoping to have lots of little ones with you, Aeon."
"We will," Aeon promised. "They'll be no problems with having children once I turn you into what I am, as no immortal has that type of problem. Even if I was just a normal bloke, I doubt we'd have problems having children, and if we did, they're numerous ways to solve it, including going to the doctor to discover what was wrong and getting it fixed. Adoption also would've been an option if necessary."
"My father will love any children we have so we'll have to visit him and my siblings often. I understand, though that we'll be living in Cairo, not in the village, I grew up in."
"We'll have to make sure that any children we have don't grow up spoiled because of all the modern conveniences. There are many more temptations in a large metropolis then there is the place you grew up," Aeon said
Nadia didn't have a chance to reply, as Marcus emerged from his office where he had been talking to his mate Emily, who had formally been a Prentiss
"We'll meet you at the Paradise Tower," Marcus said giving Aeon and Nadia the address.
"Sounds fancy," Nadia said. "I've never been anywhere fancy in all my life, so I hope it doesn't require dressy outfits, because I don't own any and it's not like I have time to go shopping."
"It doesn't, I promise, as neither Emily or I would do that to you," Marcus said. "No fancy duds required."
"That's good, because I didn't bring any dressy outfits either and the one I have is years out of date, as it's not like either Nadia or I have had time to buy a new wardrobe. In fact, I only have one dressy outfit that I haven't worn in years as dressing like that just isn't me," Aeon said. "I think the last time I wore my one dressy outfit was when mom and dad took us out to dinner for my sister's birthday instead of cooking because that's what Myrna wanted. Myrna didn't want mom and dad to go to so much trouble for her and they agreed to accommodate her and that was probably 50 years ago at least probably more than that."
"So after everyone was out of the house and on their own," Marcus said.
"Exactly and I think I bought it for that one specific event and it hasn't been worn since," Aeon agreed. "I'm not really a fancy place type person."
"Considering I grew up with no modern conveniences, I'm not really one for fancy or expensive places or things either," Nadia added.
"We'll meet you there for lunch at 1 o'clock?" Aeon asked Marcus after he slipped the engagement ring that Nadia had chosen onto her right ring finger.
"That sounds fine," Marcus said, as Aeon picked up the bag with their purchases.
"Thanks for your help, Marcus we'll see you and Emily at 1 o'clock, but I think Nadia and me will explore the city some until then since we're only here for a few hours," Aeon said.
"We'll send you an invitation whenever we get around to marrying," Nadia said.
"Sounds fine," Marcus said smiling, as he watched his cousin and his mate leave his shop.
~~~Aeon and Nadia~~~