Stay with me

Chapter 38 - Because of you

- Emine? Omer asked with a hoarse voice. - Do you really want to call her Emine?

"Yes," Defne replied.

A piece of wood crackled in the fireplace, and a sheaf of sparks that flew into the chimney was reflected in her eyes in soft light. Omer caught her eye and tried to figure out what was hidden in the amber depth. Joy intertwined with anxiety inside. He pressed his hand tighter to her belly and asked:

- But why?

- Because that was your mother's name. It was she who gave your life and raised you so wonderfully. It's fair if the granddaughter will bear her name.

- But my mother had a tragic fate. Aren't you afraid...

- No, - Defne didn't let him finish the sentence. Looking up, she said, "I'm not afraid. She won't let anything bad happen to your daughter. Will be her invisible guardian angel. I know."

She knows ... And she talks about it so simple. Omer had a lump in his throat, and fog clouded his eyes. Little Emine. Precious crumb. He will call her by name, and invisibly feel the presence of his mother...

His throat ached, and his voice did not obey, the words flew from his lips intermittently and hoarsely. But he could not help but say...

- I think ... no, I know for sure - it was she who brought you to me ... or me to you...

Defne heard a tremor in his voice and rose abruptly, kneeling beside him. Putting her hands around his face, she kissed him and pressed her forehead to his.

"She loved you more than anyone else in the world," she whispered. - And me too...

Emotions got out of control and cramped his chest. Omer wanted to tell Defne how he felt, but all the words were so insignificant and stupid. He silently embraced her and kissed her temple.

Defnе didn't need words to understand his feelings. She heard them in his ragged breathing, felt them in the hot palms that stroked her back. She saw them in his eyes. And she knew that their baby would be daddy's favorite daughter. Most beloved.

Omer bent down, pulled up Defne's sweater and, touching her belly with his lips, said tenderly:

- Hello, Emine!

***

It seemed to Defne that her life had become a high-speed train, which rushes at full steam through the days and weeks. The official opening of Sapphire loomed ahead, and the company carefully prepared for this event. To help Ahtem, two more jewelers were hired, who turned out to be talented guys and professionals in their field. Defne's works turned from sketches into jewelry of incredible beauty. In addition to the collection, Ahtem was also engaged in the necklace of Farah Sarafoglu, and Defne often had to visit his workshop. They carefully checked each curl of the pattern on red gold with photographs and the surviving jewels. A couple of times, Burak Sarafoglu himself came to their meetings and, having examined the work, nodded his head in satisfaction. The necklace turned out to be an exact copy of the lost one, and he was looking forward to when he could show it to his wife.

Laura's stitches were removed. The wound healed quickly and hardly bothered her. With difficulty, but Ahtem agreed that the bride was quite capable of returning to work. They set a wedding day and even took special permission, but so far they were silent about it. Even to Omer and Defne said nothing.

"Let it be a surprise," Ahtem said smiling, and Laura agreed.

They decided to make the wedding modest. Both, having gone through hell and with all their souls understanding what is the most important thing in life, did not want luxury and pomp. When discussing the list of guests, Laura ventured to ask about Ahtem's family. From the past, she knew that he was the only child of his parents, and they wanted their son to return to his native Crimea after education. But for some reason, he chose Istanbul, and for all the time after the reconciliation, he never mentioned them. He talked about everything in the world, but not about his parents. She did not know how they would perceive the marriage of their son to a foreign woman, and besides, a Catholic, but she believed that it was imperative to invite them to the wedding. And therefore, looking Ahtem in the eyes, she cautiously asked: