by Leah Leonard
She quietly climbed from the bed, slipped across the room and into the shower. Within minutes, she heard a knock at the door.
"Mind if I join you?"
Sarah's hands instinctively fell to her growing abdomen. She could not allow him to see her with her changed body in the daylight. He would know something was amiss. "Um….no."
Ghazi peeked at her through the curtain. "Why not?"
Sarah turned to face the wall and glanced over her shoulder. "I'm…shy."
Chuckling, Ghazi said, "You didn't act shy last night, but fine. I will respect your wishes." He turned to go, adding, "I will get you some of the coffee you like."
"No," Sarah shouted, before realizing what she'd said.
"Why not? I thought you loved our coffee."
"I do, I just want some…juice today."
"Alright, juice it shall be."
****
No matter how long he lived, Ghazi would never understand women. Sarah acted like a vixen last night in his bed, and now, she pretended to be the innocent virgin he bedded only a short time ago. He had to respect her though. She had done so much to help him. There were no words to express the gratitude he felt toward her.
By the time he returned with her juice, to his dismay, she was fully clothed. Her hair was mussed about her face in a disheveled heap that made him want to undress her and have her again. "You dress too quickly, darling."
Her face dampened by his comment. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
"Not that I thought you would leave…I just meant I want more.”
****
A wave of nausea assaulted Sarah, who grabbed the drink from Ghazi's hands and headed toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
"Wait," he called to her. “Are you all right?”
The truth was, Sarah wanted nothing more than to share a quiet breakfast with Ghazi, and perhaps rejoin him in bed afterwards, but with her morning sickness, she had to limit her exposure to him, particularly in the first few hours of the day. She was ill and tried her best to conceal the noise. She rinsed her mouth, slapped water on her face and patted down her hair and returned. “I’m fine.”
Ghazi snapped to attention and had her snugly in his arms. “You were lovely last night.” He kissed her neck, his lips traveled erotically down her shoulders.
“You were amazing yourself, and although I’d love to keep going with this, we don’t have much time.” She pointed to an antique clock on the fireplace mantel. “Your guests will be arriving within the hour.”
“Don’t you mean our guests?” Ghazi nuzzled himself close to her and grabbed her bottom, giving her a squeeze.
She loved the fact he was sharing his guests with her, but unfortunately she was being bombarded by a nasty mix of nausea and hormones. “Sorry, but the romance will have to wait.”
“Too bad,” Ghazi stepped away, kissed the back of her hand. “Rain check?”
“If you’re lucky,” she teased, kissing his cheek and rushing toward the door before he could stop her.
She stepped into the hall and glanced both directions. Hoping to avoid the questioning glares of the staff, who might have noticed she didn't stay in her room last night, Sarah almost made it to her suite when one of the maids caught her.
"Good morning, ma'am. Your breakfast awaits." Sarah noticed the maid turned down her sheets at night and roused her each morning with a pastry and juice. Apparently today was no exception.
She should have known they would catch her. "Thank you."
Skipping the meal to avoid further illness, Sarah flipped through her limited wardrobe to make sure what she picked was the absolute best thing she could find. She selected her only black skirt, which was a little short for such a somber occasion, with a black camisole and black lace jacket, clothes she brought for a cocktail party, not a memorial service, but they would have to do. Her dark hose would enhance the respectful tone, along with her hair, which she twisted into a French braid at her nape. She downplayed her make-up, applying black eyeliner and mascara with a subtle shade of mauve on her cheeks and lips.
As she studied herself in the mirror, there was a faint knock at the door. The maid appeared. "Ma'am, the guests are arriving."
Sarah sighed. This was it. She handled all the arrangements from the florist to the caterer to the harpist and flutist.
None of this would be happening without her. She wanted everything to be perfect. In her mind, there was still a chance that when this was all over, many of the guests she invited would be friends of her and her newly forming family for the rest of her life. Now was her chance to make the best first impression possible.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Dignitaries and family members gathered on the deck outside the Deniz palace and enjoyed a beautiful day. Many shared stories and memories of the Sultan, good times they had in the past, and everyone did their best to keep the mood light.
The weather cooperated and added to the intention for the day. White fluffy clouds blew by in the warm summer breeze and the sky was clear blue.
Despite all of this, Ghazi was suddenly face to face with the reality that he was the only Deniz left on the planet. The thought that the dynasty ended with him had not fully hit him until that moment. If he had no wife, no heirs, who would all this belong to in the future? What would become of the family legacy his grandfather worked so hard to build? No wonder the old man persisted so much in trying to make Ghazi come to his senses about marriage.
Ghazi glanced at Sarah who was beautifully dressed in a black lace gown, high heels and black hose with stitching up the back. His eyes traced her hem to the edge of her oh so short skirt. He fanaticized about removing her hose and exploring her gorgeous legs. He vividly recalled the passionate exchange they shared last night. He had to hold his breath to keep from hardening at the thought, even now. He had been quite pleased by her performance last night.
How he would love to swoop her in his arms, leaving all his grandfather’s business associates behind and take her to his suite right now and make love to her! She had become the only distraction to successfully get his mind off of all the death surrounding him these past few months.
After politely making appearances, most of the guests began filtering out. Ghazi walked several people to their cars.
Once everyone left, he and Sarah walked together in silence around the property. He paused on the cliff overlooking the valley below. "This was one of my grandfather's favorite places."
"I can see why," she said. "It's beautiful."
"So are you," he brushed her cheek while the wind thrashed her braided hair on her back, loosening the strands so they fell about her narrow shoulders. "Thank you for everything."
She smiled. "No need."
"You've been a real…friend…" he wanted to say lover, but still wasn't sure where they stood. He didn't want to scare her and certainly didn't want her running away on him. Particularly not now, not after all they'd been through the past few days. He needed her company more than he wanted to admit, even to himself.
"Ghazi," Sarah turned to him, grasping his other hand. "I…" Before she could complete her thought, Sarah’s head tilted back and she fell at his feet.
****
Ghazi's heart nearly stopped beating in his chest. "Sarah? Sarah!" He lifted her into his arms, ran toward the front of the palace where a few guests were still piling into their cars. "Quick! Somebody help!"
Due to remote location of the family palace, there was only one ambulance available, so rather than wait, Ghazi carried Sarah to his limo with the encouragement of several of his father's friends and had his driver speed through the winding hills to the hospital.
The whole time, Ghazi leaned against the back seat of his limo and cradled Sarah in his arms. Unfortunately, to his chagrin, he knew the local hospital was tiny and wasn't nearly as sophisticated as the one where his grandfather stayed in Istanbul. He recalled his temper the day Sultan died, how he threatened the staff after accusing them of mi
streatment, but now, looking at Sarah, he would give anything to be back in Istanbul again, and prayed his local family doctors would be enough. He had no idea what could possibly be wrong with her. God! He couldn't lose her! Especially not now! She was the only person in the world who he cared for and who he believed genuinely had his best interests at heart without ulterior motives.
What if the medical staff couldn't treat her illness? Ghazi ran multiple scenarios through his mind. He could always call his pilot to fly his helicopter to the landing strip on the roof of the hospital in Istanbul, but how long might that take? The chopper was still parked in town. And what if it took too long? Or the flight itself jeopardized her safety? He prayed he hadn't somehow caused her to collapse.
Just in case, he shouted to his driver, "Call my pilot, will you? Have him ready the helicopter and have it waiting on the landing pad, just in case."
"As you wish, Sheikh," the driver said through the cracked window.
"And hurry up, will you?" Ghazi cradled Sarah's head in his hands, brushed her hair with his fingers.
She moaned slightly and cracked her eyes open. "Ghazi?"
She was awake, thank God, but she still looked terrible. "Yes, darling. I am here."
"What happened?" she asked groggily.
"You're going to be okay, Sarah," he told her, hoping he was right. His throat tightened and his eyes burned. "You rest and we are taking you to someone who can help."
"Oh…okay…" she closed her eyes.
"Hurry, will you?" Ghazi demanded to his driver.
"Yes, Your Highness. I promise I shall do my best."
The best wasn't good enough, Ghazi thought. Not for Sarah! He held his breath, pressed his eyes closed, brushing her hair in his hands and tried to calm himself down when he felt the car come to a halt.
A cart filled with vegetables from the local farmers blocked the road.
"Now what?" Ghazi shouted.
His limo driver honked his horn, rolled his window down. "Move! We need to get through!"
****
After a few more holdups on the road caused by the long line of cars leaving the party at the palace, they finally arrived to the local hospital.
Ghazi leapt from the car, carrying Sarah through the doors himself.
Luckily they were ready with the only gurney they had when he arrived. He lay her down and stood by watching while the small medical staff hooked her up to an IV, checked her blood pressure and other vitals. The scene disturbed him greatly. He'd already been through this and more with the Sultan.
"What happened?" the doctor asked.
"She collapsed."
"Has she been ill?"
Ghazi was ashamed to admit he hadn't seen much of Sarah the past few days. He spent so much time alone. He shrugged. "Not that I know of."
"Okay." The doctor patted his shoulder, "Wait here."
"What?" Ghazi demanded, "I refuse to leave her."
"Please, Sheikh," the doctor looked him in the eye. "Allow us space to work."
Before he could protest, they wheeled her from the lobby into a room and closed the door. His worst nightmare was playing itself out all over again.
Ghazi paced the halls. If, or rather when, Sarah got better, Ghazi vowed to build a wing on to the hospital named for the Sultan so nothing like this would ever happen again. He would also be investing in a helicopter pad and more medical staff.
After a half hour of waiting, the doctor appeared in the hall outside Sarah's room.
Ghazi stood, his heart pounded. "Well? How is she?" He wanted to know, but half dreaded hearing the outcome. So many times he received bad news, he didn't think he could take any more.
Sure they had not seen each other for years since reuniting in Troy, but ever since they met, Ghazi sensed something special about Sarah. He wanted to protect her, claim and care for her. He loved her. He knew that now.
With all the commotion over his grandfather's illness and funeral these past few days, he almost forgot his original desire to follow Sarah and claim her as his own. Now she seemed so frail, and after all she had done to help him, he realized he did not want a life without her.
Last night in his bed, he recalled every moment about the early part of summer, before he knew his grandfather was ill. He remembered how he felt after he was with her that first time. Perhaps this is why she was ill now. What if he caused her some irreparable damage? Last night might have been too much. How would he ever live with himself ever again if something happened to her?
To his surprise, the doctor's stern expression lifted into a beaming smile. "Congratulations!"
Ghazi scowled. "What?"
The doctor patted him on the back. "I'd offer you a cigar, but I don't have one."
"What are you talking about?"
The doctor chuckled. "You sly devil you!"
Ghazi was baffled by the doctor's strange reaction.
"And that Sarah…she's a wonderful girl. I just wish your grandfather was still alive to see this."
"See what?" Ghazi demanded.
"You, as a father. I know he would be so proud."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Your baby."
"Baby?"
The doctor brought his finger to his temple. "I must say I never thought you'd ever settle down. It's funny, the Sultan complained about that the last time he was in here, talking about you and all your girlfriends, but Sarah is an amazing woman, Ghazi. You picked a good one. I know your grandfather must have approved. She will make a fine mother."
Mother? Ghazi stood with his mouth open. Could this be the reason she came to see him? Not to tell him about her virginal injury, but to share the news about her baby? Their baby?
"You can go in and see her now, if you'd like…dad."
Still unsure of what to make of being called a father, or dad, Ghazi pushed past the doctor.
He stood outside Sarah's door for a moment wondering what he would say to her. The only thing he knew with any certainty was that this baby changed everything. He never wanted anything as much in his life as he wanted her and this child.
All his thoughts of loneliness and of being without a family were untrue. Sarah's pregnancy changed everything. He was not alone. Not by a long shot. He thought she was his before, but now he knew for sure. She was his. Forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sarah lay flat on her back staring up at the ceiling of the exam room scared to death. Having to finally face Ghazi with the truth, she wanted to be the one to tell him, but now that plan was ruined.
She hoped he wouldn’t be angry for keeping this from him. Tears filled her eyes at the thought. She loved him more now than ever.
Worse, she feared her pregnancy may be endangered by the emotional turmoil she endured these past several days. Not to mention the activities she and Ghazi engaged in the night before….
Mortified and embarrassed about passing out again, Sarah wished Maureen was around so she could ask her if sexual intercourse ever damaged a baby in the womb.
Fortunately, her fears calmed when the doctor told her, "You and the baby are fine."
Sarah felt relieved.
That is, until Ghazi appeared in the doorway with a more than bewildered expression on his face. His hair out of place, his eyes wide and questioning, he’d never looked so disheveled in the whole time she’d known him. "Sarah?"
Did he know? She couldn't tell. "Ghazi, I have something to tell you."
"I know," he sank in the chair next to her, took her hand, brushed her hair out of her face. "And I'm here to tell you that you are mine now. Both of you. You will stay here with me, the three of us will be together as a family. We will marry tomorrow if you'd like, or maybe today if I can make the arrangements. I'm not sure about what happened to all the guests at grandfather's party, but I'm sure they would turn around and come back—"
Before she could reply, Sarah burst into tears. She was hearing everything any woman would want to hear before marrying som
eone, but the sad fact was that she knew none of what Ghazi said was true.
"It's okay," Ghazi said. "You can cry. I'm happy too."
"I can't," she sobbed.
"You can, I promise," Ghazi smiled. "You're fine."
"I can't marry you!"
Jerking his hands away from her face, he shouted, "What do you mean talking to me like that? You can marry me and you will! I demand it! You are carrying my child and you belong to me now!"
Why couldn't Ghazi understand she was not about to marry someone who ran around with models and who would not have given her a second glance had it not been for the fact his grandfather was dying. "You're wrong. I don’t belong to you or anyone."
"Do not think for one minute that you can take our child and run away from me like you did this summer, Sarah. I will not allow it!"
"Me? What about you? I never heard from you again after that night. You didn't give a damn about me and you know it."
Ghazi leaned back, visibly shocked by her change in tone. "You ran from me, what makes you think I should have to follow someone who leaves my bed?"
"What about the tabloids? I read the local newspapers, Ghazi. You are a liar and a womanizer and you can't be trusted! I came to you out of respect to tell you that yes, I am carrying your baby, and even though you and I are finished, I thought you should know so you could decide if you want to be a part of your child's life or not."
****
Ghazi was completely taken aback by Sarah's brass comments to him. His grandfather had been right - she did find out about the tabloid. Once again, the Sultan’s wisdom should have been followed. "I told my grandfather and I am telling you now, those women meant nothing to me. There is nothing between us and you are what I want and what I shall have!"
"You can't make that choice, Ghazi. You lied. You obviously have women hanging all over you all the time. I thought I was special, the times we shared meant something to you, but apparently they didn't."
