Chapter 37

"I'll leave the door open," Nora said as she pulled the blanket up to Noor's chin.

"Okay," the little boy nodded, wiggling his toes.

"Did baba read you a story?"

Noor nodded.

"What would you like for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Can we go to the restaurant for the little pancakes?"

"Again?" Nora laughed. "Baby, we've been to the restaurant three times this week. You don't like my cooking?"

"I do," Noor giggled. "But I like the milkshakes and the cream at the restaurant."

"Then when will we use our new kitchen?" Nora asked. "You and Hayden just want to go out all the time. I'm starting to think you guys don't like my cooking."

"I like the chicken you make," Noor said to reassure her. "With the butter sauce."

"Should I make that for dinner tomorrow?"

"Yes," Noor nodded.

"Okay," Nora leaned forward and kissed Noor's head. "Good night, baby."

"Good night, mama," Noor said. When he felt Nora's hand on his face linger for a bit longer, he looked up and found her frowning. "What's wrong?"

"You're a bit warm," Nora said. "Are you feeling sick?"

"No," Noor pulled the covers closer.

"Are you sure?" Nora arched her brown. "I'm going to get the thermometer to check."

As Noor laid quietly in his new bed, Nora walked out into the hall and turned towards the main bedroom. She spotted Hayden standing by the bathroom door checking his phone when he heard her approaching and looked up.

"Do we have a thermometer?" She asked.

"We should," Hayden said. "I think it came with the emergency kit. Why?"

"Noor is too warm," Nora said, walking into the bathroom and grabbing the small first aid kit box from the medicine cabinet. "We really have to organize this."

"Somebody is coming by tomorrow to unpack and clean up," Hayden said. "What's going on with Noor?"

"He doesn't look sick," Nora chewed on her bottom lip. "But he's a bit warm. I just want to check his temperature. And I really wish you hadn't called these moving people. I will hate not knowing where everything is."

"Come here," Hayden grinned, tugging on Nora' belt loop and pulling her closer. He wrapped his arms around her and placed a small kiss on her forehead. "I thought it would be easier. This way we have more time to explore the city and not worry about settling in."

"Noor is not complaining," Nora laughed. "He wants pancakes again tomorrow."

"So do I," Hayden laughed, moving his nose into Nora's hair.

"Hayden..." Despite the warmth she felt in his arms, she couldn't shake off the nagging thought in the back of her mind.

"Yes?" Hayden lifted his head and looked up.

"Some of the other kids are sick too, right?"

Slowly, the smile on Hayden's lips began to slip. He turned Nora around in his arms and leaned back against the door frame.

"They are," he admitted. "But it's just a seasonal thing. They haven't experienced winter outside of the island."

Nora slowly nodded, not meeting the half jinn's eyes.

"What is it?" Hayden asked.

"I just...." Nora shook her head as if trying to get all her thoughts together. "I can't stop thinking about the Shajara."

"What about it?" Hayden started to straighten up a bit. His arms loosened around Nora and he looked down at her with questioning eyes.

"Their magic came from the Shajara," Nora said. "And now with the Shajara gone and the whole island just....gone...."

"You're thinking they're getting sick because of that?" Hayden asked.

"It's possible, right?" Nora asked, lifting her gaze. "I mean....you saw what happened to the others on the island."

Hayden let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through his dark hair. Nora watched as he turned his head and looked out the window of thor bedroom.

"Baba and I were talking about it," he said after a short pause.

"What did he say?" Nora wondered.

"He noticed how the other kids were so much weaker than Noor was."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, definitely not," Hayden shook his head. "But he was wondering why that was."

Nora hadn't seen the kids since they had all been moved from the island. She knew they were in safe hands. All she wanted to do was sigh a breath of relief and focus all her attention on her new home, her son, and the wedding.

"Well...." she asked when Hayden didn't continue. "What else did he say?"

Hayden shifted his attention to the girl in his arms. She stood just a few inches away from him but even that was too far away. He wanted her to be glued to his side. The smell of her hair, the touch of her hands, the way she laughed...it all did things to him that he couldn't explain.

"Noor has been healed more than any other kid we rescued," he said, his green eyes scanning Nora's face. "Baba healed him using jinn magic, I'm always healing him. I'm pretty sure even mom healed him the other day when he had a tummy ache."

"Can it hurt him?" Nora asked.

"No," Hayden shook his head. "But it does explain why the other kids are weaker and are getting sick so often."

"But....how is that..."

"The Shajara is gone," Hayden explained. "I think the only thing keeping these kids alive now is us healing them."

Nora felt a heavy weight settle down on her chest like a sinking stone. Her hands started to feel cold as she stared up at Hayden.

"That means Noor too....." her words came out with a struggle.

"Yeah," Hayden nodded.

"Oh god," Nora felt her legs weaken.

"Baby, it's okay," Hayden leaned forward and hooked his arm around her waist. He pulled her to his chest and placed his free hand against her face. "It's fine. They're going to be okay."

"How?" Nora peered into the dark green eyes. Her face grew pale as she thought about the ashes that filled the bed in the infirmary back on the island.

"Because of me," Hayden gave a small smile.

Nora didn't understand where he was going with that logic. She was sure it was plain and simple, but her brain was beyond making connections.

"It's honestly a perfect fit," Hayden said, looking into Nora's eyes. "These kids and Noor...they need me to heal them for the rest of their life..."

Nora's bottom lip quivered.

"And I need to give away energy for the rest of my life," Hayden smiled. "Everybody wins."

"But..." Nora's throat tightened. "What about after us....what happened to Noor?"

"I don't know yet," Hayden confessed. "But we're looking for answers. I promise."

"What do you mean?"

"We were able to save some of the books from the island," Hayden said. "They're all at court with Baba. We're going to find a answer for Noor."

"And if we don't?"

The green of Hayden's eyes shimmered under the bathroom light as he leaned forward.

"If we don't....then we give him the best life we possibly can for as long as we both shall live," he said. "Nora, I know what it's like to live not knowing if you will see the next day. I know it's not going to be easy for him or for us....but that's exactly why we need to do everything we want to do right now. And not save everything for tomorrow. We're going to choose to be happy with our son."

"Because this is it," Nora said, her voice a whisper and her eyes teary. "This is all the life I will have....with you and Noor."

"And what a life it will be," Hayden brushed his lips over her.

"I love you," Nora whispered as Hayden pushed his hand into her hair and pulled her mouth to his.

"I love you so much more," Hayden said, capturing her lips and kissing her feverishly.

________________________

"How's the new house?" Heyder asked as he took a seat at the picnic table across from Nora.

"It's nice," Nora said, shifting her eyes away from Birdie and Noor.

"Are you two done unpacking?"

"Yes," Nora sighed. "Hayden hired some moving company."

"I guess money grows on trees," Heyder muttered as he picked at the food on the table. "What's going on with wedding planning? You two decide on a date yet?"

"Kind of," Nora said. "We're thinking of a winter wedding."

"Winter is two months away."

"I know."

"How will you plan everything in two months?"

"Like you and Maya did...." Nora smiled.

"Maya and I renewed our vows in her grandfather's greenhouse when Hayden was like four."

"He told me," Nora waited for the jinn to catch on. "A small family wedding. He was the ring bear."

"He was," Heyder nodded, looking at his son swinging Noor over his shoulder.

"Do you think Noor will be as good as he was?" Nora asked. "Bringing the ring to us in the greenhouse?"

Slowly, Heyder's brown eyes shifted to look at the blushing girl sitting across from him. He arched his brow as Nora waited for him to answer eagerly.

"You two want a greenhouse wedding?" He asked.

Nora nodded, "Yes."

"Huh," Heyder felt his insides warm.

"A very small wedding," Nora continued. "With just family."

"Our family is not small."

"Just family," Nora laughed. "No outsiders."

"Is that what you want?" Heyder asked. "Or is that what he convinced you to do?"

"It's what we both want."

"Are you sure?" Heyder asked. "No big wedding? You're the only girl allowed to make his pockets hurt."

"No," Nora threw her head back and laughed. "College is expensive. We're saving for Noor's future."

"He's a Heyder now," Heyder rolled his eyes. "And Maya Dorin's grandson. That's automatic acceptance to St. Rieka. You don't have to worry about college."

"Thank you, but he's our son. We want to set him up for success."

"He's my grandson," Heyder winked. "Failure is not an option for him."

"Not an option for who?" Maya suddenly asked as she walked over to the table.

Heyder's smile turned lazy as he watched the blonde witch walk over to him and take a seat on his lap.

"You make a very sexy grandma," he said, kissing her cheek.

"Don't call me that," Maya shuddered. "I'm not a grandma. I'm mimi."

"Grandma," Heyder teased.

"You're not suited to be a grandpa," Maya laughed.

Nora quickly climbed off of the bench and cleared her throat. Maya looked over at her and smiled as Heyder rested his face in the crook of her neck.

"I'm just gonna...." Nora said awkwardly pointing to Hayden and Noor. "I'll be back."

"Okay," Maya said, watching her walk away. She waited until Noor was out of ear shot to let out the laugh she was holding. "Poor thing is as red as a tomato"

"You smell good," Heyder ignored whatever Maya said and focused on the sweet scent lingering on her skin.

Maya didn't reply as she watched Noor walk over to Hayden and wrap her arms around the boy. Hayden leaned back and kissed the top of her head as Noor ran around in front of them holding the kite Birdie had gotten him.

"What is it?" Heyder asked, sensing the way Maya's heart hummed in her chest.

"Look over there," Maya nudged him.

Heyder lifted his head out of her hair and turned to the open field in front of him. Birdie held the bubble gun and laughed as Noor tried to take it from her. Heyder and Nora stood by holding each other and teasing their son. The blue skies were cloudless and the green trees were brighter. Heyder felt the corner of his mouth curve up into a smile as he tore his eyes away and looked at Maya.

"That's our's, sweet baby," he said, touching the edge of her face.

_________________________

"Mama," Noor squeezed Nora's hand tightly as they waited by the door.

"You're next, my love," Nora leaned down and pushed back the boy's stubborn dark hair. "Just look at baba, okay. He's waiting for you"

"Okay..." Noor muttered, looking down at the small pillow he held as Nora fixed his bowtie.

"Nora," Thea rushed up as she pushed Kiara forward with Lila in her hands. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Nora nodded, squeezing Noor's hand back. "Lila looks like an angel."

"Of course," Kiara grinned, holding up her daughter. "The most important person at this wedding."

"Nora and Hayden are the most important people at this wedding," Thea reminded the girl.

"But after Lila," Kiara teased, giving Nora a wink. "You look beautiful. Hayden is a lucky guy."

"Thank you," Nora said, feeling her heart flutter.

"Okay, okay," Thea clapped her hand. "Everyone ready?"

"Yes, we are," Kiara said, shifting Lila to her hips and handing her the small basket of flowers.

"Noor, are you ready my darling?" Thea looked down at the ring bear.

"Yes," Noor said, hiding behind Nora's white dress as his cheeks blushed heavily.

Nora laughed knowing why her son was suddenly so shy and timid. It was no secret that he had a huge crush on Thea and to have her call him darling just made him lose his mind.

"Come here, let me fix your bowtie," Thea bent down to look at the little boy properly.

"Go on, baby," Nora ushered him forward. She bit down on her lip as she watched Noor take a small step forward and stare at Thea, completely smitten.

Three minutes, Hayden's voice came through the mind-link, making Nora's back tingle. I'm waiting.

We might be a little late, Nora giggled. You son can't take his eyes off of Thea.

What can I say? Hayden laughed. We know how to pick good looking women.

I'm just glad it's not Elsa.

Nora, Hayden sighed. We're getting married in less than five minutes. Would you please let that go?

You really let her practice her lines with you, Nora shook her head. I'm glad her movie flopped.

It was Birdie's idea!

You couldn't say no? You didn't have a brain of your own?

"Noor, you're up," Thea guided the boy into the greenhouse.

Noor looks handsome, Hayden said. And no, I didn't have a brain of my own because all I was thinking about was you. Locked away somewhere. Far away from me. I couldn't think straight.

I hope he doesn't trip. I hope I don't trip, Nora took a deep breath and stepped forward, waiting for Thea to tell her when she could walk out. You seemed mighty fine to me listening to Elsa propose her undying love to you. And then at Kiara's birthday party. Let me guess, Birdie forced you to put your arms around her and take pictures.

Do I need to remind you what happened at Kiara's birthday party? Do you need a repeat of that night, Nora? Hayden asked. And you won't trip. Keep your eyes on me, baby.

No....yes....I don't know! Nora watched the greenhouse doors open and all the guests stand up.

Always so indecisive, Hayden chuckled.

No, I'm not.

Yes, you are.

Stop arguing with me! Be nice, for once in your life.

I am nice!

You're the farthest thing from nice on this whole plan-

Wow...

Nora's gaze lifted and everything around her disappeared.

Her eyes landed on Hayden as he waited for her beneath the canopy of white flowers. The rhythm her heart picked up was unknown and forgin as Nora's feet automatically began to move towards the half jinn.

You look....Hayden was at a loss for words as he stared at his bride. Wow....holy shit....

The white silk wrapped around Nora's body like a glow, showing off all her curves and bringing her skin to life. She looked radiant, blushing down the aisle, gripping the bouquet of lilies in her hand. Her long veil reached the floor and dragged behind her as her footsteps matched the music and she floated towards Hayden in a haze of pure delight.

You don't look too bad yourself, Nora smiled, her eyes moving up and down Hayden in his black tux.

Be mine, Hayden held out his hand as she neared.

I'm already yours, Nora said, taking his hand and stepping up onto the altar.     

The End. 

There will be an epilogue. 

Thank you all so much for the love and support. This book was very different from the other stories I wrote. I have to admit, this series is a challenge  compared to Ace of Queens but I am proud of myself for finishing it. 

Thank you so much for all your love and support. I really mean it when I say I wouldn't have finished this book without all the comments and supports you guys left for me. 

See you in Birdie's book ;)