Chapter 1
WARNING: this story contains some sexual content and mature content which viewers may find unpleasant.
Fatima’s House
Friday, 29 August 2014
18.15 hrs
Fatima poured the Moroccan mint tea from the little traditional silver pot into Daniel and Lucy’s cups, followed then by Ikram, her mother, Soukaina, myself and finally the rest of her family sat around the front room.
The tea was very warm and the sweet minty aroma filled the room within seconds of pouring it into everyone’s cups. For the rest of them it was a scent they were already used to, but judging by the look in both Daniel and Lucy’s expressions, it was clearly the first time they’d ever tasted traditional Moroccan style mint tea.
‘Thank you very much, Fatima,’ said Daniel raising his glass.
Fatima nodded her head at him.
’Chukran,’ replied Lucy with a smile. ‘It smells lovely.’
Fatima returned the smile as she poured the rest in Ikram’s and her father, Sufian’s, cups
‘It’s very sweet, and I promise you won’t be able to stop drinking once you start,’ she added before continuing with the rest of the family.
Once she was done she set the pot on the table and took her seat back down on the big armchair to sit comfortably. I sat just directly beside her on the actual arm of the big chair, holding my cup of mint tea in my hand.
Ikram and her father sat on two chairs just on my left near the right-hand side of the sofa, with little Yusuf sat on Ikram’s lap, whilst the twin grandmothers, Sidrah and Zara, also took up seats on the sofa alongside Daniel and Lucy.
Meanwhile Yasmina and Soukaina were busy setting up all the food and drinks on the table which had been moved out from the kitchen into the corner of the living room beside the window, just behind the sofa.
A couple more cousins, a boy and a girl, and their parents also took up space in front of the sofa stood near the television set.
It’s been a pretty big turnout for Fatima’s gender reveal party.
So far everyone else was still in the dark of what the results are from the second ultrasound we had on Wednesday – all except for Yasmina and her family that is who arrived on Monday before the ultrasound.
Upon their arrival Yasmina also informed us they had just successfully purchased a house here in Gibraltar, which meant they could now reside here and be much closer to Soukaina and her family.
Looking down at Fatima, I couldn’t get over how good she looked today in her white trousers sporting her black and white Adidas sneakers and button-down denim shirt, complimenting her black Hijab.
As for myself I kept to a basic pair of light denim shorts, yellow short sleeved shirt and white Converse. Daniel’s outfit was no different to mine minus a white shirt in place of a yellow shirt and white Reebok shoes.
Lucy certainly stood out in her green summer dress which brought out the complexion in her strawberry blonde hair. I also noticed Daniel couldn’t keep his eyes off her as he frequently peaked over to admire her beauty every so often.
‘So how’s work going for you?’ Ikram asked me.
‘It’s been a bit hectic this week. This week alone we’ve had a lot of patients coming in and because a majority of my staff are on leave I have to cover most, if not all, of the work.’
‘I can imagine, but you’re getting paid for it, and it’s working out well right?’
I nodded my head, sipping my tea.
‘Oh yeah, don’t get me wrong, I love the job, but it be nice to have all the work spread out.’
Ikram chuckled.
‘Yes, I kept thinking the same thing during my A-levels – well… more like praying for it.’
We shared a chuckle together.
‘And when do you plan to go to uni?’ I asked.
‘I’m taking a gap year first. Get all my affairs sorted and take some time to actually prepare before I venture off.’
‘That’s a good idea. What are you going to study?’
‘English literature. My teacher said I was the only one in my class to get an A star so I’m taking it further.’
‘Brilliant. Well, I hope it works out for you.’
Ikram’s face lit up.
‘Thanks. I’m sure it will,’ she said fondly.
‘Oh dear Lord!’ a loud gasp came from the sofa and we looked over to Lucy sat with her hand to her mouth.
‘Lucy, are you OK?’ asked Fatima.
We’re all staring at Lucy by this point. Even Soukaina and Yasmina were poking their heads out of the kitchen door to see what all the fuss was about.
Lucy sat there wearing a blushed look all over her face.
‘Yes, yes, I’m OK. Sorry for the scare. But this tea… it really is delicious.’
A wide smile spread across Fatima’s face.
Meanwhile Ikram, myself and I believe I even noticed Daniel were trying to resist the urge to burst out into laughter.
‘I did say you would love it,’ Fatima said with a giggle.
‘And you weren’t wrong. My compliments to the one who prepared this wonderful tea.’
‘I did, and many thanks,’ Fatima added.
I put my cup to my mouth, merely using it for cover as I let the urge to giggle pass by.
I looked down at little Yusuf who I noticed was happily chewing away at a small type of bread cake Soukaina had given a handful of to him not five minutes ago – and by handful I meant out of the two pieces Soukaina gave him and two extra pieces Yasmina secretly snuck him, he now only had one left in his hand.
‘Yusuf, you’re going to get really big if you keep eating all those cakes,’ said Ikram in Arabic chuckling, ‘soon I won’t be able to sit you on my lap.’
Fatima chuckled as Yusuf looked up at Ikram, playfully pulling his tongue out at her before stuffing the rest of the cake in his mouth.
Ikram shook her head, uttering something before kissing him around his head.
‘Kyle,’ called Soukaina from the kitchen. ‘Can you come and help us?’
I nodded my head and finished off the rest of my tea before I set the cup down and walked towards the kitchen.
Once inside the kitchen Soukaina and Yasmina stood around the corner of the room behind the wall, close by to the fridge chatting whilst Soukaina held the fridge door open ajar.
‘What’s up?’ I asked.
They both turned towards me.
‘So is everyone ready?’ asked Yasmina.
‘Yeah I think so. Did you manage OK getting the cake?’
Soukaina gave a nod of her head.
‘Here it is,’ she replied carefully pulling out the wrapped up cake in its red and white Gibraltar Confectionary paper.
Soukaina set it on the counter and slightly pulled apart some of the wrapping paper. Enough for me to get a look at the design of the cake. The entire cake was made up of a smooth white frosting with pink spots around and tiny pink shoes featured on top, written in a reddish writing were the words: “It’s a girl!”
‘It looks adorable,’ I muttered.
They both smiled in agreement.
Not even Fatima had seen it since Soukaina asked me to keep quiet about it when I told her the results on Wednesday.
Since then Fatima had been staying at my house so as not to spoil the surprise. But thinking back now, I remembered Fatima’s idea that all the first children of her family were girls, and wouldn’t you believe it the doctor confirmed our first child is a girl.
I was stunned by the accuracy – I suppose it could still just be labelled as a coincidence – but nevertheless I felt excited and absolutely thrilled to know we’re expecting a daughter.
‘Shall we take it out?’ I asked.
‘Yes, I’ll take it out and we’ll open it as soon as you give the signal,’ Soukaina instructed.
With a single nod of my head I followed them both to the entrance of the kitchen as Yasmina got everyone’s attention.
‘Everyone, listen closely,’ she called out. ‘We have an announcement.’
All eyes and heads turned towards her as Soukaina and I walked over to the centre of the living room.
Fatima’s eyes lit up the second she saw the cake and a few gasps and awes were heard as Soukaina laid down the wrapped up cake directly in front of Fatima on the coffee table.
I stood by her side and she looked up at me from her chair. I smiled down at her and set my left hand on her shoulder as I turned my eyes up to face everyone else in the living room.
‘As you all know,’ I started, ‘Fatima and I are expecting a child together.’ A few smiles spread across the room, whilst others continued to listen as I spoke. ‘Now we had our second ultrasound this week and the news that came back was, honestly… unbelievable. Literally the happiest news I’ve had this week.’
I looked down at Fatima as she then stood up and looked at everyone.
‘Indeed,’ she continued, ‘and frankly I had a strong hunch what the results would be.’
‘No doubt,’ I took over, ‘and it seems that that hunch was in fact correct, so…’ I turned to Soukaina who got ready to unwrap the cake, ‘we’re having a baby girl.’
Soukaina unfolded the wrapping paper and out came the gorgeously designed cake for all to see.
Everyone in the room cheered, clapping their hands, meanwhile Fatima fell down to her seat, looking down with both her hands to her face, covering her mouth and nose she became emotional by the sight of the beautiful cake.
I leaned in and hugged her with one arm, kissing an exposed part of her head. She leaned back into the hug, keeping her right hand on top of my left forearm.
Daniel came up to me clapping his hands, he leant one out to shake.
‘Congrats buddy,’ he said.
‘Thanks mate.’
Lucy came up and gave a kiss on my cheek, congratulating me followed by giving one to Fatima.
‘I hope you’re ready to take on the responsibility of having a daughter,’ said Sufian, shaking my hand. ‘They’re more trouble than you think,’ he said jokingly looking towards Ikram who rolled her eyes at her father as she clapped her hands.
We both shared a chuckle together.
‘I’m sure our daughter will turn out as good as you’ve managed with yours, Sufian,’ I said looking over to Ikram, catching her smile.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked back to see Yasmina holding out a plate and spoon for me. I took the cutlery just as Soukaina started to cut up the cake and distribute it to everyone in the room.
‘Kyle,’ called a very low and timid voice.
I looked over to see Sidrah beside her sister waving me over to come join them. With a nod of my head I walked up to them as they both leant out their arms for a hug.
‘Congratulations to the both of you,’ said Sidrah.
‘And may Allah bless you both with the joys your daughter will bring you,’ added Zara.
‘Thank you, both of you, and thanks for coming down too. I know it means the world to Fatima.’
‘Of course. Fatima is a bright and intelligent young woman,’ said Zara.
‘She knows when she’s sure about something she wants, and we’re very proud of her and of you for blessing us with this gift.’
I smiled at the two.
‘Well I intend to do everything to make sure both her and our daughter have a good future.’
’Mezyan,’ replied Sidrah nodding her head. ‘Have you thought of a name yet?’
‘We have actually, and we were just planning to tell everyone no—’ before I could finish the sentence I felt a vibration go off in my pocket – looks like someone’s sent me a text message.
I fished out my phone and the text came into view on the screen. I was surprised. It was a text message from Jessica.
Jessica:
Hi, I’m downstairs below Fatima’s block if you’re free to collect a gift I have for you both.
I was completely taken aback by her message and more so because I wasn’t aware she had returned to Gib. She could have at least told me she was here but I figured I could ask her that now whilst I go to collect this gift she has for us.
‘Would you both excuse me, please,’ I said to the twins and walked over to Fatima chatting with Lucy and Ikram sat all together. ‘Babe, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to go downstairs a second.’
Fatima’s brow rose.
‘Why, what’s up?’
I showed her the text message.
‘She says she has a gift for us.’
‘Well OK. Ask her if she’d like to come up for some cake.’
‘Will do,’ I replied giving her a peck on the cheek. ‘See you in a bit.’
I walked towards the door and walked out of it.
Making my way towards the lifts I entered them and descended down to the ground floor. Once I made it to the bottom I stepped out of the lifts and hurried over to the main doors of the block where I saw Jessica stood with her back to me and arms behind her back.
Jessica was dressed in a pair of light denim shorts, sandals and a dark pinkish vest. I also noticed her holding what looked like a card in her hands. She very quickly turned to my direction as soon as she heard the front door open.
‘Hi,’ she said quietly, tucking away a strand of hair behind her ear.
‘Hey… why didn’t you tell me you were back in Gib?’ I asked.
’I’m not really here for long.Only came for something my parents needed me for but I wanted to give you both something.’
Jessica quickly held out the big blue card she’d been holding in her hand. I took the card from her.
‘Well OK, thanks,’ I said with a smile. ‘You want to come up for some cake?’
Jessica paused for a moment. She began to shake her head slowly.
‘Sorry, I can’t. I… I have to get straight back and prepare everything for when I leave.’
I raised a brow at her mention of leaving.
‘Leave? When?’
She turned her eyes to the side, biting her lip.
‘In about three hours. My parents are taking me to the airport soon. Then I won’t be coming back until after the New Year.’
A frown started to creep along my face.
‘Oh, I see…’
‘Yeah… so, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was here, and I’m sorry I’m making this meeting so rushed.’
‘No, don’t worry, it’s fine,’ I said shaking my head. ‘I’m just glad you popped around to say bye – and to give me this.’
I held out the card in my hand.
I began to open up the envelope carefully and once the card was in sight I fished it out to see an adorable mix of blue and pink with a heart in the centre and the words “blue or pink, what do you think?”.
I smiled at the card’s cover and upon opening it up I noticed two small paper tickets aligned together in the card. They were for a dolphin safari trip scheduled at 13.15 tomorrow afternoon.
I looked up at Jessica in confusion.
‘I know back then I said I’d go out on a dolphin trip with you one day, but…’ she paused for a moment. ‘I know you and Fatima will enjoy it.’
Jessica’s face remained completely emotionless as she looked at the card in my hands. I looked back down at the card and read the rest of the content she had written inside.
To Kyle and Fatima
I wish you both all the best on your journey to parenthood and I know you’ll raise your daughter to be a strong, wonderful and caring woman.
My blessings to both of you…
Jessica xxx
I must have re-read the card at least a couple times before I looked up at Jessica and smiled at her.
I leaned forward and embraced her in my arms, feeling her return the hug and wrap her arms around me tightly. It still felt just as good back then to hug her as it does now.
I noticed her squeeze me a little in her embrace before letting go and stepping back. At least the smile on her face had returned again.
‘Thanks for that,’ she whispered.
I smiled back.
‘Thanks for the card, and the gifts.’
Jessica tucked away another strand of hair behind her ear.
‘You’re welcome. Well… I better be going.’
I gave a single nod of my head before leaning in to kiss Jessica on the cheek.
‘All the best.’
‘And you too,’ she said.
Jessica turned round and walked down the steps of the archway and began to walk down Irish Town. I watched her for a few moments before I turned back to face the door. As I was about to reach for the door handle I heard her call out to me.
‘And Kyle!’ I turned my head to face her. ‘The name you both chose for your daughter… it’s really beautiful.’
I smiled at Jessica and nodded my head once more before pulling the door open and making my way back to the lifts.
When I walked through the door everyone was still sat around chatting to one another, eating, drinking and laughing.
Fatima was still sat in her armchair hugging her little brother and teasing him with kisses whilst Ikram and Lucy were sat together discussing fashion by the looks of it, judging from the way Ikram was admiring Lucy’s green summer dress.
Everyone was sat close by together. All except for Daniel who I noticed was stood at the edge of the window with his head poking out, smoking a cigarette.
I walked over to him, lightly squeezing Fatima’s shoulder as I passed her to which she smiled at me.
I approached Daniel.
‘You alright there, mate?’ I asked.
He pulled his head back in and looked towards me, leaving the cigarette in his left hand hanging out of the window. From the second I saw his face I noticed the worried look in his eyes.
Something was up.
‘Yeah, I’m good. I was just on the phone with my parents a minute ago.’
‘Everything OK?’ I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.
Daniel started to chew on his bottom lip. I knew the relationship he had with his parents wasn’t a strained one so clearly it had to be something else bothering him.
‘It’s my brother…’ he muttered.
My eyes shot wide open. I started to shake my head slowly.
‘No… no, don’t tell me…’
Without saying a word Daniel nodded his head, wearing just as much a concerned look over his face.
‘Mum told me his flight arrives on Sunday. So looks like Chris will be coming to visit…’ Daniel said grimly.
Chris Olivero, Daniel’s younger and by some unexplainable logic rebellious eighteen year old brother was otherwise considered the “black sheep” of the family, and with many good reasons.
Over the years he had gotten into lots of trouble, made a bit of a name for himself, and on numerous occasions put Daniel – as well as myself at one point – in a position where we had to bail him out of trouble.
The end result could have been a lot worse if Daniel hadn’t been there but we both agreed the whole thing wouldn’t have kicked off if Chris had kept his mouth shut, and hands off someone else’s girl in the first place.
‘Isn’t he supposed to be at uni?’ I asked.
‘“Supposed to be”, but apparently he’s thinking of dropping out and my parents invited him over to try and persuade him to continue.’
‘And let me guess, they want him to spend some bonding time with his older brother, which also involves him mixing with me again, am I right?’
There was no way to hide the irritation in my voice.
Daniel and – surprisingly – even his parents knew how I felt about Chris, and I wasn’t about to let myself get dragged into another one of Chris’s bullshit incidents just to get him out of it.
The very look on Daniel’s face clearly proved he shared my concern, but he couldn’t say no to his parents or to his own sibling.
‘Well he’s my brother end of the day…’
I scoffed.
‘You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family, right?’ I said.
Daniel nodded his head.
‘Blood is thicker than water,’ he muttered.
I rolled my eyes at the very thought of what might happen the second he comes here. I could only pray he’s matured since his last visit here nearly a year ago – but I wouldn’t bet my life on it.
‘It’ll only be for a week,’ Daniel reassured me until I noticed him whisper the words “I hope” under his breath.
I guess it was just something we’d have to deal with when the time came.
Thankfully I was brought out of my stray of thoughts when I felt a soft and soothing hand take mine in hers. I looked down at Fatima’s arm stretched over from the armchair as she smiled at me.
‘I think it’s time we told everyone the name we chose.’
My frown evaporated instantly and was replaced with a grin.
‘Absolutely,’ I replied just as Daniel tapped my shoulder.
‘Here you go, Kyle’, said little Yusuf offering me my slice of the cake.
I took the plate in my hand and lightly squeezed his shoulder.
‘Everyone…’ I said, taking my place closer to the centre of the room. All ears listened in as I spoke. ‘I hope all of you are enjoying this party and I want to thank the hard work both Yasmina and Soukaina have put into this, to make it special for Fatima.’
Fatima moved in closer to my side.
‘I thank you all for attending and I’m so happy I could share this moment with you all,’ Fatima added.
The smile on my face never left as Fatima spoke. She was everything I dreamed for in a woman and I could never imagine life without her now. Not ever.
‘So Kyle and I spent a long, long time discussing it after the results on Wednesday, and, well…’ she turned towards me.
I took her hand in mine and squeezed it tight.
‘We’ve decided to call our daughter Nahla.’
The room filled with a heartfelt cheer, I noticed a single tear of joy fall down Fatima’s face.
*********
Hope you guys are all as eager and excited to meet little Nahla, I know I sure am!! :D
Be sure to stay tuned for updates as they come along and prepare yourselves for a pretty good journey :)
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Jordan/vampirenovels1
