Page 34 of Sheikh's Accidental Pregnancy

He sat and put his head in his hands, then he stood and paced some more.

If she died… He’d promised her he’d be there for her, that he’d protect her against everything that might threaten her.

“I need her in my life, Grandmother.”

“Then go to her, my boy. She needs you, too. She needs you with her, and she needs to know you love her.”

He stood stock-still. He loved her. Those were the words he couldn’t find earlier. He wasn’t sure he’d ever said them to anyone before. But he suddenly wanted to shout them from the rooftops. First, though, he would whisper them in Sara’s ear while she gave birth to their daughter.

He hurried to the nurse’s station.

“I want to be with her. Show me what I need to do.” It might be unusual for fathers in Kithab, or anywhere in the Middle East, but he didn’t care. It might not beappropriate, but not being with her while she went through this was a whole new level of wrong.

The nurse looked like she might argue for a moment, but then, just like almost everyone else in the world, she nodded.

“You’ll need a gown and a cap. And to wash your hands.”

By the time the surgical team was scrubbed in, so was Tariq. He entered the operating room, and Sara’s frightened gaze landed on him instantly. She had a curtain across her, blocking her view of the procedure about to start, and someone had painted her swollen belly with orange antiseptic. The nurse showed him where to sit by Sara’s head.

“You came,” she said softly.

He slipped his hand into hers. “I needed to be here. I promised I’d support you. I need you in my life. Sara… You and Leylah and me, we’re going to be a family built on love.”

“Tariq…” A tear spilled out of her eye and rolled down her cheek. “Don’t say things like that if you don’t mean them.”

“I do mean it, though. I love you, Sara. I don’t want to marry you because I don’t want another man touching you. I want to marry you because I don’t want to touch any other woman. You, with all your fight and clumsiness and enjoyment of life, are the perfect woman for me. I couldn’t love anyone else half as much as I love you.”

“Oh, Tariq. I’m so happy you’re here with me, and I’m glad I’m yours. Glad we’re both yours. As long as you’re next to me, I know I’m safe.”

“Maybe this isn’t the right time,” Tariq said, “but, Sara, will you marry me?”

“It’s the perfect time. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

“Congratulations!” one of the nurses called, and everyone in the room—doctor, nurses, and whoever else was there, broke into laughter. Tariq had forgotten they were there.

“And congratulations again, Mom and Dad. You have a healthy baby girl.”

A baby’s cry sounded out, and Tariq felt his own tears fall. The nurse brought the snugly swaddled newborn around the curtain so they could see. Little Leylah’s bright red, screaming face made Tariq laugh.

“She’s beautiful, Sara. She looks just like you.”

Once they moved to the recovery room, Tariq’s family gathered around them. Once Leylah had been weighed and measured, and all her fingers and toes had been counted, the nurse laid her in Tariq’s arms. His face immediately brightened. Sara saw a soft side of him when he held their daughter, something she’d never thought she’d see. He stared into the baby’s face for a long moment and then turned to Sara.

“Ready?”

“So very ready.”

He handed Sara the baby.

“Hi, Leylah,” she said, smiling at her baby. She was so beautiful. So tiny and delicate. She’d come a couple weeks early but hadn’t needed any extra care, fortunately. The baby gazed up at her in wide-eyed wonder, and Sara was sure her own expression was just the same. To their surprise, Tariq’s mother took Sara’s hand and smiled. She had finally accepted her and the baby.

At last, everyone but Tariq left so the the new little family could have time alone to bond. Sara still held Leylah and could barely look away from her.

“Sara,” Tariq said.

She looked up at him and smiled. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it.

“Still a yes?” he asked.

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