“How are you taking it?” Zayed asked, wrapping an arm around his wife’s bulging tummy from behind, as she stood near the window, gazing into the deserts.
“Honestly? Feelings are mixed” Aveline said with a deep sigh
“You know you can share anything with me, habibti” Zayed murmured against her ears.
Aveline leaned back against his chest and placed her hands above his.
“I know”
“Then tell me” Zayed prompted
“I am happy that you are embracing your birthright, Zayed. But at the same time, I know you never wanted this. Your passion is art. And you had to give it up and choose business due to many circumstances in your life. One being me” Aveline said
“It's not because of you” Zayed protested
“And now when you start enjoying this business field, another change. I am worried it will affect you emotionally to a greater extent than you imagine” Aveline said and a smile grazed his lips, revelling in her concern for him.
“I have you by my side. Why should I worry then” Zayed said and Aveline rolled her eyes at the cheesy line.
“And Cami shared with me the issues they faced in life. She told this before Aunt Suhara was exposed. She hated Salim being a king. There was so much pressure on them. I am worried this will affect our married life. We just found each other. We only started living together. I don’t want to lose this” Aveline shared her major worry
Zayed’s arms around her tightened.
“The major pressure on Salim and Milly was to have an heir. And in our case, that will be a non issue. You have given our people three heirs, and another one on the way. So don’t worry this pretty little head over this” Zayed said, dropping a feather light kiss on top of her head.
“So? We will have to shift to Zidra permanently?” Aveline asked
“Yes. But not now. We will shift once this academic year is over” Zayed said and Aveline looked at her husband in surprise
“You do realise, don’t you. They are still in kindergarten. It will not be a big deal” Aveline said
“No. We will give them as much stability as possible. Uprooting them over night will not be good. We will make them understand what changes are going to happen in their life. We will give them time to adjust to the new reality. This academic year will give us the time for that” Zayed said
Aveline smiled happily.
“What about here? Salim already abdicated. You can’t leave it as such, can you? Aveline asked in confusion.
“No. I will discuss with Salim and Basim and come up with a solution” Zayed said
“Momma. Momma” they heard the sound of little footstep hitting the floor
“Damn. How do they get signals when I am with you? Always come running whenever I am trying to romance you?” Zayed asked with a groan and Aveline pinched him playfully
“Momma” Zahir ran and hugged her, lightly pushing his father away from his momma.
Zayed shot a furious glare at his son, who royally ignored him.
“Where is your brother and sister?” Aveline asked, hugging little Zahir back
“They are coming. I am faster. I reached first” Zahir said smugly
“Ah ha! What is it in your hand?” Aveline asked, seeing that Zahir has something tightly held in his fists.
“It's chocolate. Aunt Mizna gave me two. I wanted to give one to the baby” Zahir said, gently patting his momma’s bulging tummy
“Aww! That’s so sweet of you, baby” Aveline gushed
“Is the baby awake?” Zahir asked
“He is sleeping now,” Aveline said, because the baby hasn't been moving for a little while now.
Zahir’s little face fell
“But that’s okay. We can give it now and when he wakes up, he can eat it” Aveline said, smiling excitedly
“We can?” Zahir asked happily
“Yes baby” Aveline said.
Zahir quickly unwrapped the chocolate and kept it in his momma’s mouth.
“Eat when you wake up, baby” Zahir leaned towards Aveline’s bulging tummy and whispered softly.
Zayed had a soft smile on his face, watching it.
Soon, Zian and Zada joined them.
“I reached first” Zahir declared smugly
“You didn’ say it was a race until you ran so much” Zada complained and Zahir simply shrugged
“Momma, can I have a pony?” Zian asked and Zayed rolled his eyes.
Their bed will not hold a pony!
“Pony? Why would you want a pony now?” Aveline asked with a smile
“Aunt Mizna was showing me her horse. She told me she had it since she was a baby. She was gifted a pony on her fifth birthday and she raised it. And now it is her horse.” Zian said
“You can have a pony. In fact all three of you can have one. But on one condition” Zayed said
The three looked up at him expectantly
“The ponies will stay in the stable. No taking them to bed with Rocky, Bruno and Maggie” Zayed said
“But papa-” Zian began to protest
“No means no, Zian. A pony will be too big for your bed. If you are okay with my condition, we can go buy new ponies” Zayed said
Zian reluctantly nodded his head. Having his own pony in the stable is better than having no pony at all, he thought.
“Good. Now all three of you go and see what Granny Rosie is doing. Take her to the garden and play with her. Momma needs sleep” Zayed said and Aveline raised her eyebrow at her husband.
He shot a sheepish smile at his wife and shooed his children out of the bedroom.
“Really? Momma needs sleep?” Aveline asked
“There is no other way I could get you to myself. They are overprotective since you are getting closer to your due date. They always roam around you” Zayed complained like a kid
“Oh God! You are going to be a Sultan, Sheikh Zayed Ahmed al Zidra. Stop whining like a baby” Aveline teased
“When it comes to you, I am a mere man, Aveline. A man yearning for your touch. A man yearning for your single glance. A man yearning for your love” Zayed said and leaned down to take her lips in his.