“You’ll never lose either of us, habibi. Not me, and not our son.”
“Our son,” Rachel said, and smiled.
Karim kissed her damp cheeks.
“This has been a long journey for me,” he said quietly. “When it began, I thought I was learning about Rami. Now I know I was also learning about myself, and about what is important in this world.”
“And what is?” Rachel asked softly, though by now she knew the answer.
“Love,” Karim said. “Only love matters.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Rachel. Will you marry me and be my love, forever?”
Rachel laughed.
“Yes,” she said, “yes, yes, yes—”
Karim gathered her in his arms and kissed her, and as he did the rain stopped and the cabin of the plane filled with the brilliant golden light of the sun.
* * *