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EPILOGUE
‘YOUCOULDSKIP the meeting,’ he murmured, squeezing her hand.
India el Abdul slid her husband a sidelong glance. ‘And say what? That our two-and-a-half-year-old twins kept me up all night? I don’t think that’s an excuse anyone will appreciate.’
‘Or that the baby in your belly has you running for the bathroom every five minutes,’ he said with a sympathetic grimace. Khalil had wished, many times, that he could do more to relieve the burdens of pregnancy, but, beyond running warm baths, offering back massages and foot rubs at any time of day, he was relegated to the role of silent witness.
‘It’s fine,’ she said, patting a hand over her gently rounded stomach. ‘I’m looking forward to this. I’ve worked hard on the proposal.’
‘I know you have.’ Khalil’s face stretched with pride. India’s economic forecast for Khatrain was detailed, innovative and, in his opinion, brilliant. But that wasn’t just the bias of a doting husband—India had collaborated with economics professors the world over, pulling together a strategy that would take Khatrain forward, not just economically, but in terms of social development too. The investment in schooling and childcare centres meant their people would continue to live in one of the most prosperous and fair countries in the world.
‘I’m proud of you,’ he said, quietly, as the doors to the economics chamber were opened. India blinked up at him, smiling, a smile that made it appear as though the sun were filtering through her face, warmth and enthusiasm exuded by every pore. ‘Almost as proud as my parents are of you.’
She laughed. It was a running joke between them that Khalil’s parents loved India more than they did Khalil. They thought she was utterly perfect and could do no wrong. They were also incredibly supportive grandparents, spending as much time as they could with the twins.
‘I know you are.’ She squeezed his fingers, looking directly forward. ‘Thank you.’
He dropped her hand as they entered, purposefully walking a step behind his wife. This was her moment. She had worked hard, channelling her innate abilities and passions into the last eighteen months of work, developing a report that was thorough, achievable and inspired. She deserved every accolade that was laid at her feet.
And though Khalil had expected that to be the case, even he could not have prepared for the rapturous response her report would garner. From even his oldest and most cynical advisors there was only praise, and the room hummed with the kind of enthusiasm he wasn’t sure he’d seen in his lifetime.
‘Did that just happen?’ India asked, eyes wide, when they were alone again.
Khalil nodded. ‘It’s fair to say, you were a hit.’
India laughed, relieved. ‘I knew the report was good, but I hadn’t expected—’
‘You deserve it,’ he interrupted, brushing his lips to hers. ‘I think you are incredible.’
She sighed, lifting up onto the tips of her toes to kiss him back.
‘What time is it?’ she asked against his lips.
‘Just past noon. Why?’
‘We have several hours before the dinner.’
She flashed a wide-eyed glance at him, a smile playing about her lips. Jackson was due to fly in that afternoon, and, as per their tradition, that meant a big, happy dinner with all of them—Khalil and India, Khalil’s parents, Astrid, the twins, and Jackson. It was always loud, fun, with a lot of lively conversation about anything from politics to Broadway shows and economics initiatives.
‘Then I guess we’ll have to think of a way to kill time.’
‘Exactly what I was thinking. Do you have any ideas...?’
He pulled back, a smile crossing his lips as he saw the glint in his wife’s eyes. ‘Many, many ideas,’ he said with mock seriousness, earning a pout from her.
‘Such as?’
He scooped down and lifted her easily, cradling her to his chest. ‘Plans that are better discussed anywhere but here.’
‘Like our bedroom?’
‘The perfect venue, Your Highness.’
She laughed as they swept from the room, the bright afternoon sunshine crossing their paths like a golden blade, bathing them in warmth and optimism, paving the way for a future that would be blessed. Light shone, and love grew, as it always would.
