The Nanny

Chapter Forty Three

I woke up and turned over to look at Ahmed, I traced his face and then held his hand. He is the love of my life. How did everything fall into place with all the ups and downs, I never thought it would be possible to feel so safe and so at peace. Alhamdulilah. I still can't describe the immense happiness I get from being with him... I looked at him, not wanting to wake him, I slowly let go of his hand. "How long have you been staring at me?" He asked, his voice raspy and eyes still closed. A smile spread across my face, and I held his hand again.

"Not for long," I replied.

"My wife," He said and opened his eyes.

"Yes husband," I said, in an ardent tone. He kissed my hands.

"I had a dream about you," he spoke, in a rather modulating tone.

"What was I doing?" I asked, curious to know more about the dream.

"Your eyes were shining so bright."

I smiled, and stopped looking into his eyes.

"And that sweet smile."

"You are such a flirt," I told him, and looked at him.

"I know that." He winked. "When we go back home. I was thinking maybe we could build our home from scratch." He sat up and stretched his arms. I got out of bed and decided to stand by the bed.

"What do you mean?"

"Make our home, where we grow old together. I thought it would be a good idea if you design it, after all you are an architect." He answered calmly.

"Are you serious? Where is this coming from?" I asked, still in disbelief. Slowly excitement started building up.

"I want us to have a home where we can create new memories as a couple. Like a fresh start."

"That sounds amazing. I would love that," I told him.

I paced back and forth, mentally planning the house. I went over to his bed side and sat on the edge of the bed, I started fidgeting with my fingers.

"Fidget with your fingers when you are nervous," Ahmed said. I looked at him and sighed.

"That I am... I haven't used my skills as an architect in a long time. I am just worried I won't be as good."

"You won't be doing it alone, I will be there every step, every decision, we will do it together. Take your time, you don't have to decide right away..."

"I want to do this, it will be my first project. My first project designing a home for my family: Imad, your mum and you,"I said and looked at him. "It's perfect."

"And our children," he said.

"You've already thought of that?" I asked while smiling.

"You haven't?" He asked, his tone laced with wonder.

"I have..." I replied in a quiet tone.

"I want my first born son to be called Khalil," He said.

"Well then I'll pick our daughter's name," I told him.

"Of course," He said.

...

It's exactly four o'clock, it read on the watch on my wrist. Where is he? I thought to my self. Standing outside the house - I couldn't help it but overthink. "Layla can we wait inside," Ahmed said. I quickly looked back at him, as he held my shoulders. I checked my watch again, it's three minutes past four.

"I am really excited to see him. They said they would be here by four," I told him.

"And they will be. Maybe they got held up in traffic," Ahmed tried to make sense of it all. And he was right, yet his rationale explanation didn't convince me to go back in the house.