by Leah Leonard
“Try the other, but I think this is the one,” the girl said.
Stephanie slipped into the dressing room and into the V neck. It was beautiful too, with a thicker bodice and longer train, but there was no doubt that the other slimmer one was for her. She stepped out to get a second opinion.
“No,” the young girl said. “Nice, but not like the other. Try it on again for me so we can make sure it fits perfectly.”
Stephanie changed and came out, spun around the mirror a few more times. “I love it.”
“Me too,” the girl agreed. “So let us measure each seam, assure it fits the way you want…Unless you want me to get more?”
“No, this is it.”
“I agree. Good choice.”
Stephanie realized it was a good choice. She saw the one she wanted immediately and she knew it. No need to keep looking when you found what you want. “This reminds me of how I met Uri…I mean the Sheikh.”
“Oh?” the girl asked.
“Yes. The moment we met each other, we knew.”
“That is so romantic,” she said while she pinned up the hem, stood back and admired Stephanie. “This is meant to be ma’am. I shall get this hemmed and it will be ready for pickup tomorrow.”
“Oh, don’t rush,” Stephanie said. “I don’t think I’ll need it that soon.”
“You never know, ma’am. The Sheikh would not wish to wait if he could see you as I have today.”
Stephanie gazed at herself in the mirror and smiled. Things were working out better than she could ever have imagined.
She was excited about the future which was amazing considering how miserable she had been after her parents died. Her eyes welled with tears. Her only regret was knowing they wouldn’t be there to share in her happiness. Still, something told her they were watching over her right now, and they were smiling too.
Thirty Eight
Right after the Sultan left, Uri received a call from his driver saying that his darling was finished with her shopping. Uri wanted to grill him and ask what she thought about being taken to a bridal shop, but decided against it. He could ask her soon enough.
He gathered his things and rushed outside just as the limo rounded the corner. The driver parked, opened the door for him and he slid into the back where he saw his Stephanie smiling and happy. Nothing pleased him more. “Enjoy your trip, dear?”
With tears in her eyes, she nodded.
“Surprised?” he asked.
She responded by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “We’re really getting married?”
He leaned her back so he could look in her eyes, lifting her chin up so she would meet his gaze. “Not only are we getting married, but I want to do it as soon as we can.”
“Me too,” she cried.
“So you didn’t change your mind while I was away?” he teased.
“No, actually I am more certain about you than ever.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she nestled into the crux of his shoulder. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Darling, I would never, ever be able to do that. You are worth more to me than anything else on earth.”
“I love you,” she whispered, squeezing him tight.
“And I love you. More than words could ever express. You have made me the happiest man alive, darling.” He kissed her passionately, and waited for her to tell him about her trip. When she didn’t, he asked, “So?”
“So what?” she teased him with her sweet smile.
“Did you find something you like at the store?”
She nodded. “But I won’t tell you about it and you can’t see it.”
He scowled. “Why not?”
“It’s bad luck,” she explained.
“There is no such thing as bad luck where you are concerned, dear. Only goodness and happiness.”
“Still, I’m superstitious.”
“Of what?”
“In the United States, people believe it’s unlucky for the groom to see the dress before the wedding.”
“As you wish,” he took her hand and they rode in silence around the city. “I suppose you will need to return to Iowa before we wed?”
“I told Aunt Ellen I’d be back for Christmas. I want to tell her about our plans in person and invite her to come. If you don’t mind…”
“Indeed.” He would need to contact the pilot soon to arrange for that, as the holiday was fast approaching. “That is fine, dear. Of course we want to invite her and anyone else you please. We shall finish our tour, then I will make the plan.”
“Thank you,” she smiled. “You’re wonderful to me.”
“As I should be. You are my treasure.” He kissed her fingers. His dear was so sweet, he had to make sure of one more thing before the details went any further. “And something else I must ask, dear.”
“Yes?”
“You are happy to marry here, in Turkey?”
“Yes,” she said with zero hesitation. “I know that would be best for everybody.”
He was really surprised by that. “You are certain?”
“I am. Definitely.”
He knew his sweet Stephanie better with each moment they spent together and he knew she was always one to please him at her own expense. “Dear, I do not care if we marry in Iowa if this pleases you. I only want your happiness, so do tell me what you prefer.”
“We’re building our lives in Turkey, so I want to marry here. No doubt,” she said definitively.
“Then this is what we shall have, and of course, any friends or relations you wish to invite may come and I will cover any expenses.”
“Just Aunt Ellen is all. If she wants to, that is. We have a few other relatives, but we’re not all that close. I just wish my parents could be here to meet you. I know they’d love you as much as I do.”
“I would have enjoyed meeting the people who brought you to me, darling.”
While they continued to talk about the wedding plans, Uri had his driver take them to a private restaurant in a quiet hilltop neighborhood with amazing views of the Blue Mosque, the Bosporus and the Black Sea.
When his sweet Stephanie got out of the car, she gasped. “This is so beautiful!”
“I am pleased you like it. Come.” He took her hand and the staff led them through the intimate space and settled them into a private room and balcony.
Sweet Stephanie appeared overwhelmed by the ambiance. “This is stunningly gorgeous!”
“As are you dear,” he said, scooting in and sitting next to her. “What would you enjoy eating?”
He watched Stephanie look around at the fresh floral arrangements and the winding vines surrounding them. She leaned over the railing and gazed at the ships passing below. “Anything is fine.”
Uri chuckled at how easy she was to please. How refreshing, he thought, as he reviewed the menu. “The best items would be either fish or chicken. Which would you prefer? Or should you enjoy a bit of both?”
Stephanie giggled. “You are too sweet. I really don’t care. Which do you want?”
“Now, now, dear. We can have anything and everything we’d like. Please. You should decide.”
She shrugged. “Fish, I suppose.”
“Then fish it shall be.” Uri directed the staff to also bring several fresh vegetable dishes, some hummus and bread, and of course, the wonderful Turkish tea. “Now that our meal is underway, there is only one other thing to settle.”
“What’s that, sweetheart?” she asked.
“When can we marry?”
Stephanie leaned back in her seat. “Are we in a hurry?”
Her response worried him a bit. “Have you changed your mind?”
“Of course not,” she seemed upset. “Not at all. I’m just saying… I haven’t told my family yet. It’s almost Christmas, and then there will be New Year’s to plan around. I’m just not sure how long it would take. We don’t exactly live next door to each other, you know?”
Since he visited Iowa and spent time with
Stephanie the past couple of days, Uri believed that despite her past behavior, she could now be relied upon, and that her flights of fancy and running away from him were a thing of the past. “I want you. I would marry you today, if you agreed. I do not need any more time to determine that.”
“Neither do I, but we’ve hardly seen your father yet, I need to at least run home and see my aunt. Plus, once we do set the date, I have to make sure the farm issue is settled.”
“I shall purchase it. I told you that.”
“And I appreciate the gesture, but right now, we’re still waiting to hear if Buck’s family wants to buy it.”
“And if they do? You still want to sell it? You do not have to, you know. I am pleased to do whatever you wish in this matter.”
“If they do, then yes, I will definitely sell it to them,” she said.
“This is what you wish?” he asked. “You are certain?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “I really do. I’ve been thinking about that on and off ever since we flew over here.”
“Oh? I thought you were contemplating our lovemaking…” Uri teased, raising his eyebrows.
“You are too sweet,” she leaned over and kissed him. “But seriously, I have been thinking about it, and I think it’s best.”
“It is only best if it is what you wish, dear. I want you to be happy and if you want to keep it, then I shall absorb it into our other businesses, as we’ve discussed.”
“You have no idea how much that means to me to hear you say that. I’ve been thinking about it, and I really do believe since you and I are starting this new life together, it would be best if I do that without the farm. I’m still not sure about all of the details, or what it’s going to take to get it sold, but I do want to marry you. Soon. I’ve become one hundred percent clear on that. No doubt.”
“This pleases me greatly,” Uri said.
“I love the way you treat me, I love your passion and determination, but most of all, I love you. There is something special about us as a couple. I’ve never felt like this before, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I cherish you more than anything in the whole world.”
Uri cleared his throat to calm the lump forming there and temper the well of emotions this lovely lady stirred within him. He wanted her to be officially his as soon as possible. The feeling of possessiveness took over his mind more than ever before. He always got what he wanted in life. He had become a tremendous success in his own right, despite his family status.
Still, of all the acquisitions he made through the years, none were as important to him as Stephanie. He did not recall ever feeling this certain of Tamara when she was alive. Then again, it was partly thanks to Tamara that he could love this deeply now.
Back then, he presumed, falsely, that life could be lived at leisure and that he had all the time in the world to be with the one he loved. Sadly, he had come to learn that things did not always go as one wanted or planned.
Part of him worried something might occur as it had in the past to destroy his happiness, and he could not allow that to happen. He wanted to somehow make sure that nothing could ever take his Stephanie away from him. Not even the clutches of death. Realistically, he knew that kind of surety was impossible and he had no control of such things. He also realized he was simply being paranoid. Still, he worried nonetheless. “To answer your question about hurrying, my answer is yes. I am in a hurry. You see, as I told you, I had only loved once before long ago. I lost her and I suppose I worry at times about losing you also. This is why I press. I want to marry you and I want us to be together always.”
She brushed her hand on his cheek. “You will never lose me. I promise.”
“And I do not wish you to be unhappy or feel that I forced you to sell your farm.”
“I appreciate that. Like I told you, prior to my parent’s accident, Ellen was only planning to stay with us for a few months.”
“She can stay longer if need be,” Uri said.
“She’s still going to live with my aunt. Even if I wanted to keep the farm, I couldn’t possibly run it on my own, you know?”
“You would have all the help you need. I would hire people for you,” he said.
“The thing is, Buck seemed keen on the idea of his family taking over, and when we spoke before I left to come here, he said that with or without me, he loves the farm. He sees himself spending the rest of his life there.”
“And you?” he brushed his hand on her cheek.
“I did. I never thought about another way of life until I met you. Now I know I can let it all go. That was my parent’s farm, not mine. You’ve changed me.”
He kissed her tenderly, and stroked her hair.
“Besides, I still have a lot of memories of being on the farm with my parents.”
“That is good, yes?” he asked.
“Of course.” Her eyes watered. “All the good times, all the memories, they’re all so special, and I will cherish that time in my life forever, but now they’re gone, and my life on the farm would never be the same.”
Uri could certainly appreciate that after his mother’s death.
“You know they’re buried in our family plot there?” she said.
“I did see that, yes.”
“I would hate being there, having to see those graves every single day of my life.”
“Indeed,” Uri agreed.
“And even though it would be strange to leave, in a way, it would be even weirder to stay. I know that sounds crazy, but―”
“That makes sense,” Uri said.
“I wouldn’t want us to marry and then have that farm hanging over our heads all the time like a loose end needing to be tied up. I think it would be better for everybody to make a clean break. I can’t very well have us living in the one house while Buck and his family are next door. Plus you have your company to run and I’m okay with all of that. Really I am.”
“Indeed, I appreciate you being so accommodating.” Thanks to her brilliant mind, there was no need to remind her that he couldn’t possibly live in Iowa with all of his family holdings to tend to. He would do anything to please his love, but the fact she would be willing to sell her holdings and build a new life with him meant her commitment to their relationship was real.
Stephanie laughed. “I mean that would be like you living with your former in-laws. I wouldn’t like it, neither would you, so I say let’s sell the farm to Buck and his family if we can.”
“I like the we,” Uri said, taking her hand.
“Me too.”
“Good. Then may we tentatively set a date? Something to tell your aunt and family, even without knowing that outcome, dear?” Uri asked.
“We could, but let’s give it another day or two, okay? I’d really like to discuss it with Ellen while we’re in Iowa, and I’m excited to see your father tonight. Did you tell him about our plans?”
Uri must have gotten quite a look on his face at that question.
Stephanie scowled. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Father was at our meeting today, and gave little time to talk about anything beyond his own plans. I am certain he will be most pleased though.”
“Good, then for now, let’s play it by ear,” she said.
“May I hope it is sometime before the New Year?”
“Sure,” she kissed him. “We’ll see.”
Although that wasn’t at all what he wanted to hear, for now, he was satisfied enough that she had decided to free herself from her past. “Yes, my darling. I will be asking you for a firm date again soon though.”
“That’s fine. We’ll find the right timing for everything. I know that.”
The right time for Uri was yesterday, but he would do his best to be patient and ask her again after their dinner party tonight.
Thirty Nine
Stephanie thought about her life and realized that overall she had been blessed throughout. Still, she never felt happier than she did with Uri, talking about their future a
nd making plans.
Once their lunch was served, Uri scooted over next to her in their booth and fed her cherry tomatoes, grapes and bites of the most delicately cooked fish she had ever had in her life. “You’re spoiling me.”
“Indeed,” Uri popped a piece of chicken into his mouth. “As you deserve, darling.”
The lunch concluded and the couple returned to the limo mid afternoon.
“We haven’t much time, but I want to make one more stop.” Uri checked his Rolex and called to his driver, “To the Grand Bazaar.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The driver sped through the city past the Blue Mosque to the gates of one of the world’s oldest trading centers, the Grand Bazaar.
Stephanie stepped out of the limo and smiled, her eyes wide with excitement. “This place was on my bucket list!”
“Your what?’ Uri asked.
“Bucket List. Meaning it’s a place I wanted to see before I die.”
Uri got a weirdly unsettled look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I cannot bear to hear anything about you dying either now or in the future,” he said.
“Sorry.” The sentiment was sweet, but also she realized with all that had happened to him with his former fiancé, for Uri, death was no laughing matter. The idea she would pass away would be understandably unpleasant. “It’s a figure of speech in our country. I have special places I want to make sure I see, and Turkey, as you already know, was at the top of my list. All I’m saying is that I’m just so happy you brought me here!”
“Darling, any place you ever want to go, anywhere in the world, I shall gladly take you. I want nothing more than to make you the happiest woman alive.”
“You already have,” she squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, dear. You can thank me by allowing me to spoil you a bit more today. Come.” He took her hand and led her through the huge arched entryway into the bustling marketplace.
Stephanie realized that seeing this on TV did not do it justice at all. Throngs of people wandered through the packed corridors stuffed with treasures from around the world. She would have easily felt overwhelmed by the masses of people had Uri not been there to guide her.
