“That’s right,” Jarik muttered. “I thought the farm sounded familiar.”
“I’d also like to introduce Arella Cohen, our daughter.”
The room went silent as everyone stared at the little girl. She seemed to know that she was the center of attention, and she immediately stopped squirming. Kashif knew that they were taking in her blonde hair and dark blue eyes. They glanced at him, Kristy, and back to Arella again.
Kneeling down, Kashif opened his arms, and the little girl lunged into them. “Arella,” he said softly in her ear. “I’d like you to meet your Uncle Samir and Uncle Jarik. And I suppose you should start calling these lovely ladies Aunt Poppy and Aunt Maria.”
Arella slowly repeated the names with a huge smile on her face. She clearly liked the idea of a family. Jarik kissed the top of her head and straightened. He expected everyone to start asking questions, but everyone just stared behind him.
“Maybe you should introduce her to her grandfather,” Jibreel boomed behind him.
“Pop-pop?” Arella said with a frown as she peeked around Kashif’s body. He turned and kept a tight grip on the little girl. Leaning heavily against a carved mahogany cane, Jibreel Shadid, Crowned Sheikh of Al-Harmid, stared at them with glittering eyes.
“So,” Jibreel muttered. “I haven’t been able to get the three of you under the same roof for five years, and n
ow you all show with fiancées, and one of you has a child?”
No one said a word. Kashif examined his father closely but couldn’t see any signs of emotion on the old man’s face. Were they all about to get lectured? Was he going to order them to take the decorations down and leave the palace?
“It’s about damn time,” he boomed and smiled. “Let me greet my grandchild, and then I want to know exactly how this happened!”
Arella didn’t even bother to wait as she ran to the older man. Jibreel took her by the hand and led her to the couch where he sat down heavily. She immediately climbed into his lap and began telling him all about her favorite dogs and what she wanted from Santa.
Apparently, she wanted booties to protect the dogs’ feet from the hot sand so they could live here with her since she was a princess.
The Sheikh laughed, and Kashif wrapped an arm around Kristy’s waist. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear.
“And I love you. Every day of my life.”
They all gathered around and each retold the tales of their adventure. When Samir recounted what Melka had done, Kashif explained that Melka had also interfered three years ago when Arella was born. Jibreel’s face hardened in anger, and he profusely apologized to Kristy.
“I think everything worked out the way that it was supposed to,” she said with a smile.
Jarik told them that Kivi wasn’t getting released, something that their father was only too happy to hear. When he mentioned Maria’s charity, Jibreel said that the palace would be more than happy to donate whatever she needed to next year’s adventures.
“I don’t understand,” Samir said finally. “Did you want us all to spend Christmas together?”
Their father sighed. “It’s my fault. When your mother died, I shut down. I didn’t even think about how her love for Christmas would affect you boys. I just didn’t think I could handle the reminder. Over the years, I saw you three drift farther and farther apart, and I realized that the last time that we were all truly happy was when we were here, sitting around that ridiculous tree and drinking her awful eggnog. But pride kept me from admitting that I’d made a mistake. I had hoped to at least get you three together for the end of the year, but this is so much better. What prompted all of you to return home?”
“Samir mentioned that something was wrong with you,” Jarik explained. “He seemed worried, and that was unlike him.”
“Jarik said something to me too,” Kashif admitted.
“You were worried about me?” Jibreel grunted. “Well, I’m just glad you’re all here. Now, it looks like that tree is still naked. Any chance you found some Christmas music?”
“As a matter of fact,” Samir grinned as he stood. “I did.”
“Might as well put it on while we finish decorating the tree,” the Sheikh said gruffly.
“I get to do the star,” Kashif said immediately as he lunged for the decorations.
“I don’t think so!’ Jarik popped up and tried to beat him to it. His younger brother matched him both in height and weight, but Kashif had a head start.
“Boys,” the Sheikh roared. “I think this year; Samir should be able to do the honors.”
Samir shrugged and smiled guiltily as he reached behind the sofa and plucked the star out from its hiding place. “I had planned on doing it, but I think someone else should do it this year. Arella?”
“Yes!” she cried out and reached for the star. Gripping it tightly, she held it up to the tree. Kashif reached down and scooped her up so that she could reach.