Lying underneath a bench was a wrapped box. “Found it,” she called out as she reached for the package. Tucking it under her arm, she exited the bus and started to walk toward the plane. Turning the package over, she was surprised to see that the tag had her name on it.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Jarik asked huskily, steps away from her. Looking up in surprise, she nodded her head.
Pulling the ribbon loose, she tucked it under her arm while she unwrapped the present. Inside was a nondescript box. Looking up at Jarik expectantly, she faltered when she saw the look in his eyes. “Open it, habibti.”
Taking the used ribbon and wrapping paper out of her numb hands, he tossed it in the bus while she stared at him. “Jarik, what have you done?” she asked quietly, unsure if he even heard her but then he smiled.
“Open it.”
With shaky fingers, Maria opened the box and reached inside to feel something soft and furry. Pulling it out, she was surprised to see it was a bear, dressed as a pilot. Staring at it, a slow smile spread across her face.
“Is this the same bear?” She couldn’t believe it. She remembered leaving it in Syria but couldn’t recall, which child had received it.
Stepping closer to her, “For some reason, it was never given out last year and ended up back with the Christmas Crates’ supplies, so I thought he deserved better. Do you like the outfit?” he asked her. His voice sounded strange but Maria was too surprised to say anything.
“He’s adorable. Is he…mine?” she sounded like one of the children in the camps when they opened their presents. It wasn’t as if she never had a bear before but for some reason, this one was special.
“Of course, habibti. I think, he has something in his pocket. Would you check for me, please?”
Without questioning, Maria slipped her finger in the pocket of the bear’s leather bomber jacket. Her eyes grew round, when she felt something inside. “Jarik, I…”
“Take it out, please.” His voice was quiet as he spoke.
Pulling the ring out, her hand shook as she looked at it. Comprised of a mix of diamonds and sapphires that almost exactly matched Jarik’s eyes, it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
Warm hands engulfed her shaking ones as Jarik took the ring from her. Lifting her left hand, he held the ring in front of her ring finger.
“Maria Walken. From the moment, I first laid eyes on you; I knew you were someone special. You are smart, beautiful, and you have a heart of gold. Would you please do me the ultimate honor and consent to become my wife?”
Maria stared up at him, her mouth opening and closing but nothing came out. Dropping her head, she looked at the ring again before looking back up at Jarik.
“This is the part where you say, yes,” Tessa shouted from the plane. Jumping out of her thoughts, she nodded her head, as Jarik placed the ring on her finger. “It doesn’t count, unless you actually say, yes,” Tessa called out.
Laughing and crying at the same time, Maria threw her arms around Jarik’s neck and kissed him. “Yes, I say, yes. Oh, Jarik, yes. I love you.”
Hugging her tightly, he swung her around in a circle, both of them laughing, as he murmured in her ear. Setting her back down, she was surprised to see that she had managed to hold onto the bear. Clutching it tightly to her chest, she smiled up at him.
“I can’t believe it. This is going to be the best Christmas, ever.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her to him. “With you as my wife, every day will feel like Christmas.”
End of The Sheikh’s Christmas Present