A few months later, London
Zayed was on a call from Salim.
"So? All wound up?" Salim asked
"Almost. It's the last day of school for the brats. Then a short vacation at Scotland and we will be back to Zidra" Zayed explained his plans to his older brother, who was currently handling the political issues in Zidra, with Karim and Khalil.
"Scotland? When was that plan made?" Salim asked in confusion, because he was unaware of it until now
"Made plans today morning only. Want a week for ourselves away from everything, before I take up the big responsibility" Zayed said, still dreading the huge responsibility waiting for him.
"Okay then. Have a good stay. I have a friend in Scotland. He has a resort there. I can make arrangements for you there" Salim offered
"Uh no, Salim. I want to stay somewhere low key. Where nobody knows us." Zayed said and Salim hummed in understanding
"Okay then, brother. See you in a week. And ask Basim to stop dilly dallying there. He came over there directly after the meeting in India" Salim said in disapproval
"He will return to Zidra, once we leave for Scotland" Zayed said
"By the way, I got a call from Mithran Yadav. They said they are ready to start work in Zidra. When should we bring the Maheswari and Yadav in?" Salim asked
"Invite them for the coronation. They can stay here during the coronation and start their work immediately after that" Zayed said
"Okay great! I am hanging up" Salim said and hung up the call.
"What happened to the garden? All the flowers are missing." Aveline asked as she walked into the house
"What flowers?" Zayed asked in confusion
"The rose garden. There is no single rose there now" Aveline said, with a frown
Zayed turned to Basim who was scrolling through his instagram feeds.
"Bass, did you pluck flowers from Aveline's garden?" Zayed asked making Basim frown
"Why would I pluck flowers?" Basim asked in confusion
"Must have taken them to give it to some girls" Kate said sarcastically, after finding him flirting with the girls in the neighborhood.
"For heaven's sake, I didn't. Will you stop taunting me every other second" Basim asked in exasperation
"Maybe if you behave yourself, I wouldn't have started taunting" Kate said with a shrug.
Zayed shook his head
"Is Zaif awake, Zayed?" Aveline asked
"No. Sleeping like a baby" Zayed said
"He is a baby" Basim pointed out making Zayed roll his eyes.
"I don't know who introduced the phrase 'sleeping like a baby'. I mean have you seen any baby who sleeps through the night. All four of mine never did" Aveline complained
As soon as she said that, they heard a low wail from the baby cot
"See. This is what I said." Aveline said walking towards baby Zaif and picked him up and carried him into the bedroom
Zayed chuckled and followed his wife
As he entered the room, he saw Aveline breastfeeding little Zaif.
"How lucky he is. Wake up, drink milk, kick legs in the air and go back to sleep. And the cycle continues" Zayed murmered as he sat next to them and dropped a kiss on the baby's head
Zaif detached himself from his mother and looked up as he felt his father's kiss
"Zayed. How many times do I have to tell you to not disturb him during his feeding time. He gets distracted and then it takes ages for him to latch on again" Aveline complained
"Sorry habibti. All packing done, Aveline?" Zayed asked seeing the boxes arranged around the room
This is their last week in London. The kids finished their Prep 1 and they will be shifting to Zidra by next week.
This is their last day at school
"Almost. Those are the CDs of the triplets' birthday parties of the past years. I left them out from packing. I thought you would want to see them" Aveline said
"Oh. I definitely want to" Zayed said sadly. He had missed five years of their life. Nothing would bring them back.
And he has no one to blame. He himself is responsible for whatever happened.
And he was a lucky man that he got a woman like Aveline in his life.
He will be eternally grateful for the second chance she gave him.
He couldn't even imagine a life without her.
What would have happened if she refused to give him a chance? What would have happened if she had believed the lies Brianna sprouted.
He shudder at the thought.
Zayed pulled her against his chest and dropped a kiss on her head
"I love you" he murmured making Aveline smile
"I love you too"
****
Zayed played the CD for them to watch. Zaif was lying on a rug on the floor happily kicking his legs in the air
"That's their first birthday video" Aveline said
All four of them sat together to watch the video.
Zayed laughed as he saw his son taking a chunk of cake in his chubby little fist and bringing it to his mouth before even they started singing the birthday song
"That must definitely be Zahir" Basim commented
"No doubt" Zayed agreed
"Spot on" Kate said with a laugh remembering the long ago day
"Oh my god" Basim exclaimed as he saw one of the boys poking the other in the eyes
The second boy had started wailing and the first boy gleefully poked Zada in her eyes making her wail too.
Aveline had rushed towards them and picked up both the wailing babies in her arms.
And villain of the story had a look of extreme jealousy on his face and he too started wailing, seeking attention from his momma.
"That boy, I tell you. He is a bundle of possessiveness and jealousy. I pity the girl who is going to marry him" Zayed said
"Look who is talking" Aveline said dryly
Zayed grinned cheekily
Aveline's phone rang and she picked up the call seeing the caller ID indicating the call from the kids' school
Aveline listened to whatever was told and then hung up with a sigh
"What happened?" Zayed asked
"Found the thief" Aveline said
"Thief? What thief?"
"Flower thief. It was Zahir. He is distributing flowers to all girls in his class, declaring his undying love" Aveline said dryly
Basim laughed out loud
"My tiger" Basim cheered for his nephew earning a glare from his elder brother
"Did the principal call to complain about him giving the roses?" Zayed asked
"No. He gave roses to everyone except Emily. Emily said something. Then Zahir said something. God knows what. They got into a fight" Aveline said
"What problem does he have with the little girl. Why is he always fighting with her?" Zayed asked shaking his head in disapproval
"Who knows. Let's go pick them up. The principal sounded so relieved that this would be the last time she will have to call us with the complaint. She is so happy that he is leaving the school" Aveline said
"Haa. It's their loss. Just wait and see, Ava, they are going to terribly miss him the next year" Basim said supporting his nephew
Zayed and Aveline, with baby Zaif left to the school to collect the children.