“I’ll need both your help,” he said. “If we want to make this work.”

  Zak pulled back, hopeful. “You mean us? Our family?”

  “That’s right. Our family.” The word felt right—family, him and Willow and the kids. “We need to show your mom we all want the same thing. Show her I’ll fight for us if she’ll give me the chance.”

  “We’ll all fight together,” said Lale. “What do we do?”

  Hadi smiled, though his heart hurt. “Well, here’s what I’m thinking...”

  Willow’s eyes were on fire—from the screen, from the dry air, and from recent tears. Leaving Hadi would hurt, but what choice did she have? Zak was her world, her priority, her all. Hadi loved him, she knew, but his world was too harsh. He demanded too much, and worst of all, he couldn’t compromise. Zak couldn’t grow up that way, thinking that was okay. He’d have kids of his own someday, kids who’d need a kind father.

  She rubbed the grit from her eyes and turned back to her screen. She’d narrowed her options to two flights. She just had to choose: straight on to Seville or a quick trip home first. In Seville, she’d have work waiting, three schools to choose from. At home—

  “Mom!” Zak came bouncing up, Lale in tow. Both of them climbed onto the couch with her, and Lale stole her tablet. She shoved it down behind the cushions as if she’d seen what Willow was doing and wanted to stop her.

  “Kids.” Willow pulled them both close and mussed up their hair. “I thought you were playing cards.”

  “We did. I won.” Lale thumbed her nose at Zak. He stuck out his tongue. Willow’s heart broke a little. They’d just found each other. How could she split them up?

  “Mom?” Zak tugged at her scarf.

  “What is it, sweetheart?”

  “I was thinking…we can’t go.” He glanced at Lale and seemed to draw strength from her. “I want to stay for my ceremony. I want us to be a family.”

  “You do?” Willow looked down at him, at his hopeful little face. Lale’s expression mirrored his, her dark eyes pleading.

  “You can’t leave,” said Lale. “I need my big brother.”

  “We made all these plans,” said Zak. “We want to go mountain climbing and explore the Hidden Grotto. And discover a bug they’ll name after us and learn to cook like Aunt Karima. We have a whole list. We can’t do it if we’re gone.”

  “But, Zak...” Willow blinked back tears. Walking away had been hard enough with Zak on board. Dragging him off kicking and screaming? She wasn’t sure she could do it. “What about what we talked about? Life’s not about rules or traditions or what’s written in the stars. It’s about following your heart, and if you can’t do that—”

  “My heart wants our family.” Zak touched her cheek. “No, don’t cry.”

  “Dad said our ceremony could be special,” said Lale. “He said he’d make it just for us.”

  “Just for you?” Willow glanced at Lale, then back at Zak. “What do you mean, just for you?”

  “He said it’d be fun.” Zak was fairly bouncing, vibrating with excitement. “He didn’t just say. He promised, and we believe him.”

  “We want the fun ceremony. We want to do it together.” Lale was halfway in her lap, as eager as Zak. “Can’t you please stay? At least for our day?”

  Willow’s heart twinged. Could she trust this? She wanted to, more than anything, but she’d never forgive herself if Zak wound up crushed. If he stumbled, if Hadi scolded him—

  “Please, Mom. Please.”

  She’d lost. She could feel it. She took a deep, steadying breath. “Your father really agreed to this?”

  “It was his idea.” Lale took her hand. “He feels bad about last night. Even before we yelled at him, he knew he was wrong. He wants to make it up to us—and to you. If you’ll stay.”

  Willow sighed deeply. Running would be easy. She’d been doing it so long. She’d run from her parents, from their constant judgment. She’d run, and she hadn’t stopped, and she’d had her adventures. But here, she’d found something she’d never had before. She’d found a real family, a home that felt like home. And love—she loved Hadi, and she knew he loved her. They both loved the children, and that wouldn’t change. If Hadi could compromise, shouldn’t she do the same? Shouldn’t she try one more time?

  “All right,” she said. The words came out choked, and she cleared her throat. “All right,” she repeated, more strongly this time. “Run and tell your father we’ll be there with bells on. But if it’s not fun—”

  “It will be. We promise.” Zak hugged her hard, so hard she coughed. When he broke away, his eyes were shining bright. He grabbed Lale’s hand and tugged her toward the door. “Come on. Dad’s waiting.”

  “Bye, Miss—bye, Mom.” Lale sketched a quick wave as she dashed after Zak. Willow’s hand flew to her heart, and her eyes stung anew. Mom. She was Mom to Zak, and now Mom to Lale.

  “This has to work,” she whispered. “Oh, Hadi. Don’t break our hearts.”

  16

  The garden was golden the day of the ceremony, the sky clear and cloudless, the lemon trees in bloom. A bright, open tent had been set up for the family, decked with rich carpets and cushions for sitting. Candles flickered in glass globes, lending the place an enchanted air. It was all so inviting, like a storybook come to life, but still Willow hesitated, hovering on the threshold.

  “Nervous?” Fisa came up behind her and squeezed her hand. “You look lovely, by the way. Did you pick out that dress?”

  “Not without my stylist. No Dressgate today.” Willow managed a chuckle, but her throat felt dry. She could still flee all this, take Zak by the hand and run for the hills. But Fisa’s hand was warm in hers, the sun soothing on her back. Karima was waving from her spot in the shade. Musa was beaming, the picture of pride. Even Caasi was smiling, and Willow smiled back.

  “Should we find our seats?”

  “That’s the spirit,” said Fisa. “I think you’re next to me, right across from Hadi.”

  Hadi. Willow shivered. If she looked at him, she’d cry. He hadn’t told her much since she’d agreed to stay—just that she wouldn’t regret it, and neither would Zak.

  It’ll be a day full of smiles, he’d said. Smiles and good memories. I promise you that. She’d tried not to get her hopes up, to just wait and see, but now that the big day was here, she was brimming with emotions, hope and trepidation, pride and dread—but love most of all. If Hadi came through, she might burst with joy. If he didn’t—if he didn’t—

  Malik rang a tiny bell, and a hush fell over the garden, the family inside the tent and the well-wishers gathered outside. From his place next to Lale, Zak held up crossed fingers, a tiny signal for Willow, I got this. We’re good. She did crossies back at him and prayed he was right.

  Lale stepped up first, to Willow’s surprise, and knelt on the ceremonial rug, facing the crowd. Willow glanced at Hadi, nerves jangling—this wasn’t how they’d practiced it—but he sat straight and proud, his eyes full of warmth. He gave Lale a nod, and she turned to her guests.

  “Friends, honored guests, it’s my privilege to welcome you to our home, to celebrate with our family as my brother and I take our first steps into adulthood.” She lifted a heavy book, the Book of Stars, and laid it open on the rug. “But for us, today’s special for more than one reason. We’re not just growing up. We’re becoming a family, Zak and me, Mom and Dad. So we’re sharing a reading, one that’s close to all our hearts.”

  A murmur went up at that, and Willow’s heart plunged. She closed her eyes tightly. She couldn’t look, couldn’t stand it, all that judgment turned on Zak.

  “Willow?” Fisa found her hand again and gripped it tight. “Open your eyes. Look around you.”

  Willow took a deep breath. Her eyes swam with tears, but she opened them and looked around. A sea of smiles greeted her, joy on every face. A few guests, parents mostly, were dabbing their eyes.

  “I was lost, and you called to me,” Zak said. He’d joined Lale on the rug, with his hand on the book. His eyes were on Lale, and his face was all smiles. “I searched the drifts for you. I searched the valleys. I searched in the east, where the water runs clear.”

  Lale took his hand. “I searched through the streets, and I searched near and far, and with your voice in my heart, I found my way.”

  “You were always with me, your voice and your love. My sister, my friend, and my guide through the night.”

  Willow let out a pent-up breath. He was doing it—Zak was doing it, speaking with such conviction there could be no doubt. He meant every word, and he spoke from the heart. He checked the book here and there, but his voice never wavered. Willow swelled with joy and a warm rush of gratitude. This was Hadi. He’d done this. He’d made today a good day, a celebration in truth. She turned to him, and he was smiling. His eyes burned with pride, and behind that lay a tenderness she hadn’t thought he possessed.

  Love. This is love. Willow looked away quickly as tears welled anew. She was dreaming—she had to be—but when she pinched herself, it hurt.

  “And now, we invite you to enjoy our hospitality,” Zak said. He was glowing, positively radiant, overflowing with happiness. “We invite you to dine with us, and share tea, and be family.”

  A wild cheer went up, then, a gale of applause. Willow was on her feet, and Fisa beside her. And then there was Hadi, and Willow’s head spun as he took her in his arms.

  “Well? Having fun yet?”

  Willow couldn’t speak. If she did, she’d just cry, and she wanted to laugh. She wanted to dance, to shout her joy from the rooftops. She wanted to kiss Hadi, so she did that instead, kissed him long and sweet, sheltered in his embrace. She kissed him with all she had, all her love and passion, her forgiveness, her gratitude. All she couldn’t put in words, she poured into that kiss, and she thought Hadi felt it, because he held her all the tighter.

  “I missed you,” he said, when they broke apart at last.

  “I never left.”

  “I know. When it felt like I’d lost you...” He drew her aside, away from the crowd. “I want you to know, this wasn’t a one-time thing. I won’t wake up tomorrow and go back to how I was.”

  Willow couldn’t breathe. She wanted to trust him. “Why now? What’s changed?”

  “I have. You’ve changed me.” He took Willow by the hands and guided her to a bench. “I went through what I put Zak through, and I thought that was right. My father was so proud when I had my day, when I stood up and spoke, and I did it with grace. But before that, at my lessons, he was like me. He pushed me and scolded me, and it felt...it felt awful.” Hadi looked ashamed. “My father always loved me, but he never showed it till I made him proud. I thought I earned his love. I thought that’s how it worked.”

  “Oh, Hadi.” Willow took his hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “I’ve been doing the same as a ruler and as a father. Following tradition blindly, forgetting one thing. Forgetting the most important thing, which you brought to light.”

  “And that is...?”

  “That our ceremonies, our traditions—they are about love. About giving it freely, not proving ourselves worthy.” His voice had gone raspy, rough with emotion. “That’s how you live. That’s how you love, and I see it in your art. I see it with the kids, how you’re always on their side. Love without conditions and without hesitation.” He thumbed a tear from her cheek, then kissed where it had fallen. “That’s how I want to live. With you, if you’ll give me the chance.”

  Willow swallowed hard. “We do have fun, don’t we? When we’re just ourselves?”

  “More than I ever thought possible.” Hadi leaned closer. “I want to laugh every day with you. To make mistakes and learn from them, see the humor, not the shame. I think I’ve always wanted that.”

  “Then I want it too.” Willow felt full of sunshine, her heart light as air. “Fun and laughter and family. What more could I want?”

  Laughter rose, high and silvery, and Willow glanced up. Zak and Lale had gathered their cousins and launched a game of tag. Kids were running everywhere, scattered across the lawn. Faisal rolled under the dessert table, and out the other side. Lale raced after him, scattering a gaggle of aunts. One of them wagged a finger, but she didn’t seem displeased.

  “It’s their day,” said Hadi.

  “But you’re dying to move that punch bowl.” Willow couldn’t help but tease. “Look at it on the edge there, just ready to tumble over.”

  Hadi made a pained face, but he shook his head. “It’ll land on the grass. No harm done.”

  “You really have changed,” Willow said. “But it’s driving me nuts. Come on, let’s move it before it goes down.” She pulled Hadi to his feet and they set off together to save the punch bowl and join in the fun.

  EPILOGUE

  Willow sank down next to Hadi and half-melted in his arms. She felt like she’d just run a marathon—and she must’ve done half of one, chasing after the kids. She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the grass.

  “I could go to sleep right here.”

  “Oh?” Hadi gave her a nudge. “Would a traditional engagement party have been more your speed? No kids? Tiny sandwiches? A nice, sedate tea service?”

  “No...” She stretched out against him, luxuriating in his warmth. “But you could rub my feet, now the guests are all gone.”

  “I could,” agreed Hadi. “But don’t you want your ‘gift from the heart’?”

  Willow’s heart leaped. She’d been anticipating this moment, rehearsing it all week. Whatever Hadi had gotten her, she was sure he’d outdone himself—and equally certain she’d outdone him. She couldn’t wait to see his face, to see his eyes light up with joy.

  “I can’t hand you your present,” said Hadi. “But six months from now, I’ll walk you through it with the children.” He went to what Willow had thought was a side table and whisked off the tablecloth. Inside a glass case stood an intricate scale model, a gleaming glass building with greenery cascading down its sides. “Your new children’s art center. But it’s not a museum or a gallery or a school. It’s a place children can come to paint and sculpt as they please. To learn through doing, as messily as they want.”

  “It’s perfect,” breathed Willow. She rose and went to Hadi and threw her arms around him. “How’d you come up with this?”

  “I thought of what I’d have liked when I was a kid. What I’d have asked for, if I could’ve picked anything at all.”

  “And you’d have gone for an art center?”

  Hadi stepped back to meet Willow’s eye. “I’d have wanted a place to be a kid. A place without rules, where I could just be myself.”

  “I love it,” Willow said. “I can’t wait to explore it with Zak and Lale. And of course—”

  Hadi cocked his head. “Of course what?”

  “Of course there’s still your gift.” She took Hadi’s hands and led him back to their bench. “I don’t have it here, either. Well, I do, but you can’t have it. At least, not right now.” She reached into her pocket and retrieved a slim envelope. “See for yourself.”

  Hadi took it, brows raised. Willow held her breath. This was it, her big moment. She’d been sure Zak would spoil it or Lale would spill the beans, but Hadi’s look of mild puzzlement assured her he didn’t have a clue. He peeked inside the envelope, and for a moment, he was still. Then his eyes went wide, and he made a strangled sound.

  “Is this—are you serious?”

  “All the doctors said I couldn’t. But yes. That’s a sonogram.”

  Hadi’s whole face lit up. “So we’re having—”

  “A new brother!”

  “Or a sister!”

  Zak and Lale came charging out, tripping all over each other in their haste. Zak climbed up next to Hadi, and Lale jumped in his lap.

  “Are you excited?” She snatched the sonogram and tapped on a bright patch. “That bean thing? That’s your baby.”

  “Our baby.” Hadi broke out in a wide schoolboy grin. “Our baby!” He set Lale down and swept Willow into his arms, spun her till she squealed, and then spun her some more. “Excited doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m astonished. Delighted. Over the moon. I couldn’t be happier if you’d handed me the moon.” He gathered Lale and Zak into his embrace. “And you two? You’re excited?”

  “We’re getting a brother.” Zak glanced at Lale. “Or a sister. Whichever. Either way, we can’t wait.”

  “So you’d best hurry and get married.” Fisa winked from the doorway. “Oh, don’t mind me. I wasn’t eavesdropping, just passing by.”

  “I don’t care if you were,” Hadi said. “I just want to celebrate with everyone I can.” He pulled Willow close again and slid a hand across her belly. “My family. Our family. If I’m dreaming, never wake me.”

  “We’ll dream this dream forever.” Willow rose to kiss him, and Hadi held her steady. She lingered in that moment, in Hadi’s sure embrace and in the love of their family. Her back ached, and she was glad of it, because that small pain told her this was all real—all hers to keep, and to treasure her whole life.

  END OF SHEIKH’S SURPRISE SON

  THE SHEIKH’S WEDDING SERIES BOOK ONE

  Sheikh’s Surprise Son, 30 December, 2021

  Sheikh’s One-Night Stand, 6 January, 2o22

  Sheikh’s Pregnant Fake Fiancée, 13 January, 2022

  PS: Do you love passionate Sheikhs? Then keep reading for exclusive extracts from Sheikh’s Pregnant American, The Sheikh’s Pregnant Bride and The Sheikh’s Surprise Heir.

  THANK YOU!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!