Until we meet again,
Your loving Dad.
Ben sat for a long time afterwards, tears in his eyes, spilling over, running down his face, his heart filled with sorrow for his love, his darling Charis, before he could get his thoughts together enough to concentrate on writing his vows. It took him ages before he was happy and content with it. He returned to her desk to put her pen away, and the letter back in its box, but in doing so dislodged a small notebook that fell to the floor. He leant down to pick it up and it had fallen open to the last page she had written in. He realised it was an appointment diary, her last entry being:
A ticket to Cairo!!!!! From Henry???? Whatever next!!!
Idly looking through it he saw such entries as:
Pick up dry cleaning, Buy bird seed, Meet Helen for lunch, Jennifer coming for 2 days – I wonder how Ben is doing now?
Curiosity got the better of him…again! He read some more and noticed a few times his name cropped up, just short little comments. And then one:
Saw Ben today. He was with a beautiful girl coming out of a restaurant on the other side of the road. I wish I was beautiful. I wish it had been me.
He sat a little longer thinking if only thoughts and chastising himself before he could organise the things he would need to take with him – not much, he'd left another suitcase behind in Cairo. Ben packed his bag, put his wedding outfit into a suit carrier and was ready to go.
Charis was also getting organised; her dress was due to be delivered early next week, the cake was almost done. The staff at the Embassy had been exceptionally helpful and kind arranging it all. The Ambassador and his wife were excited to have something special to arrange as a change from the usual diplomatic affairs. When Charis had told Ben they only needed someone “to say the words”, she had no idea it would end up being a proper wedding, even if a small one.
They desired their wedding to be informal; no flowers, no speeches, no bridesmaids, no walk down the aisle, no formal photographs. As Sir Giles was a very keen amateur photographer, Charis knew he would make sure there were some good photos of the event, and that was all she needed.
PART V
THE WEDDING
Ben's plane was due to arrive at noon and Charis was both nervous and excited. To try and relieve her anxiety, Joanne suggested they go to the market. Enjoying her previous visits, Charis happily agreed. Each time that she and Joanne had left the compound they’d gone in a chauffeur-driven Embassy car, but to go to the market the Ambassador insisted that they were also accompanied by a couple of guards. They were immersed in the experience and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Joanne argued about prices with the shopkeepers as though she had been doing it all her life.
And then Charis saw him. Henry! He was standing just a few feet from her. Their eyes met and held. He moved closer…close enough that she could feel his breath on her face.
“We're not done, you and I,” he hissed. “I will have you and yours.”
Charis was terrified, almost as frightened as when she was in the room waiting for some fat old prince to come for her. She was trembling all over and unable to move. He leered at her then turned and melted into the crowd.
“What's wrong?” Joanne asked. “You look as though you've seen a ghost.”
“Can we go back? Please? Now?” she managed to say, her voice shaking.
Joanne assumed it was just pre-wedding jitters and consented to her request. They hadn't been in the Embassy long when Ben arrived. Charis ran into his arms and clung to him as though her life depended on it.
“Ben, oh Ben, please don't ever leave me again.”
He felt her trembling. ”What is it love?” he asked. “Something's wrong.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I saw…Henry…at the market. He was…he was just standing there looking at me. It was horrible and I was so scared.”
“I'm here now. You're safe,” he soothed. “We'll stay here, within the walls of the Embassy until we go back to London after we're married. He won't ever be able to hurt you again.”
*****
They still had nine days to go before their wedding. They spent it quietly at the Embassy, relaxing together. Surprisingly the hours passed quickly. Sometimes they were alone, sometimes with Gary and Joanne or with the Ambassador and his wife. The Ambassador had been acquainted with Sir Giles since University days so he and Ben had several things in common. He’d also known the Qumrai royal family for many years, as he'd had several posts in the Middle East and was friends with the King, so he understood Ben's position well.
In the middle of the week Charis' dress arrived. She was absolutely delighted with it. It fit perfectly and she was pleased with how it looked when she tried it on. Made of ivory chiffon lace over a silk underdress, I had an empire line, softly draped over her shoulders, and the skirt flowing to three-quarter length. She’d bought a pair of simple strap shoes in the same colour that completed the outfit. She hadn't planned on anything special for her hair but Joanne insisted and she’d found a small pearl clasp to fasten her hair back in its usual style.
By the time their wedding day arrived Charis had seemingly forgotten all about Henry, although he would always be there, lurking in the recesses of her mind, ready to spring out at the most unlikely times; alone in bed at night or each time she thought about the market. And Ben couldn't forget either. He wasn't worried about it; he knew she would be safe at the Embassy and they would be going straight to the airport after the wedding, but he had a hard time getting it out of his mind. He understood how much it had terrified Charis. She had been frightened of the vile man her whole life and just when it seemed that she was rid of him, he’d turned up again to disturb her peace.
They had separate bedrooms at the Embassy and had not slept together since Ben left for London. The morning of the wedding Joanne insisted that they didn't see each other until they were to get married – after all, it was tradition. It suited Ben, too. Charis still didn't know that she was to have a few friends attending the simple affair and he wanted it to be a joyous surprise. So between Ben and Joanne, she was kept away from the main part of the building.
Charis had been up early, washed her hair and had a long luxurious bath and was getting nervous. After breakfast she’d put on her wedding dress, brushed her hair and put in the little pearl clip she’d bought. As she looked into the mirror she thought of Ben telling her she was beautiful and sighed. She couldn't see it herself but thought she looked pretty enough. It must be the dress, she reasoned.
Joanne insisted that Charis kept out of the way until all the guests had arrived. Charis assumed it wouldn't take long as there were only a few coming, so she attempted to wait patiently in a room at the rear of the building where there was a piano and she played softly to herself hoping the music might calm her nerves.
She didn't hear him come in, so intent was she on the music and the words she was singing quietly -Annie's Song. He stood just inside the door listening and was grateful at how truly blessed he felt to have this precious girl to be his wife. She was singing, “Let me lay down beside you, Let me always be with you, Come let me love you, Come love me again.”
With a couple of steps he stood behind her, leant over and said softly, “If you are singing that song to anyone but me, I’ll kill him!”
She was in his arms in less than a second. “As if I would,” she whispered to him before he kissed her. “I'm so glad that today has finally come. This has been the hardest week of my life, having you so close but not in bed with me. I love you so much. I've wanted you with me.” Her voice was so soft that he hardly heard her.
“Tonight,” he smiled. “I have such plans for tonight.” He kissed her again. Minutes passed before he managed to pull away and said, “I have a surprise for you sweetheart.” Turning her to face the door, he said, “There's someone here who can't wait to see you.”
Jennifer was standing there with her parents. They’d witnessed, but Charis hoped not heard, her embrace with Ben, and any do
ubts that Jennifer may have had about Charis' physical love for her brother were gone.
“Jennifer!” she exclaimed. “It's wonderful to see you.”
They hugged each other tightly and she was also hugged by Ben's parents. For Charis it felt like a real family reunion. They made their way down the passage together, Ben with his arm around Charis' shoulder. The door was open and Charis could hear voices – lots of voices. She looked at Ben questioningly and he smiled and said, “Come and meet your guests.”
There stood James and Helen, the Pattersons, Sam and Eve Chandler and the Ridleys, with various members of Ben's family and a couple that Charis didn't recognise.
She turned to Ben in surprise. “However did you ever manage all this?” she asked.
“Well, I've been a bit busy,” he grinned in reply.
Charis greeted her guests with hugs and smiles and kisses. She smiled at Ben's brothers, Adrian and his wife Felicity, and Simon and his wife Lorraine, whom she hadn't met. There was his sister Elizabeth and her husband Hugh - she hadn't seen them for several years but remembered them all fondly. Then Amelia and her fiancé Charles. They would all be her family now. She had yearned for a family for so long. Now, at last, she would have one.
Ben and Charis stood at the front of the room, hands held tightly together as ‘the words were said’ until it came time for them to make their vows to each other.
First, it was Ben's turn. “Charis, my beautiful, sweet, adorable Charis. You are the light and love of my life. I feel blessed beyond measure to have met you again. I promise to love you, to cherish you and to always be faithful to you. I promise that when you are happy I will share your joy, when you are sad I will comfort you and if life gets hard I will hold you close and keep you safe. And I will love you forever.”
Charis hardly heard the last few words because as he vowed to hold her close and keep her safe she started to cry. As the tears spilled over he took her in his arms and she whispered, “Ben, you remembered.”
Ben looked at the Ambassador, smiled and said, “Just give her a minute. She'll be okay.”
Several of the women and a few of the men in the room were also crying, or at least had tears in their eyes. After a moment or two of Ben holding her close, Charis was able to continue and make her vows to him in a quiet, clear voice.
“Ben, my heart is full of love for you. You are my love, my life, my hopes, my dreams, my world, my everything! I promise to love you, to care for you and cherish you, to honour and trust you, to always be by your side through life's joy or pain. I give myself to you, my heart, my body and soul. And forever and always, I will love you.”
They exchanged rings. The Ambassador pronounced them husband and wife and then said to Ben, “You may kiss your bride.” The kiss was sweet and tender, and full of promise.
Not long after the ceremony had begun, very few of the assembled company noticed a tall, dark, distinguished looking man enter the room and sit at the back. Ben noticed because he was turned sideways, facing Charis, and the movement in the doorway caught his eye. A half smile crossed his lips and he inclined his head in acknowledgement of the older man, then turned his attention back to Charis.
After the ceremony was over, and he and Charis had signed the register with his parents as witnesses, and the two of them had been kissed and hugged and congratulated by everyone, and Charis had been introduced to Graham and Allison Carruthers, the couple she hadn’t recognised, Ben steered her towards the back of the room where the gentleman was standing quietly.
“Come and meet my uncle,” he said.
“You mean the King? He's here?” she asked nervously.
Ben nodded and smiled reassuringly at her. “He really is a very nice man.”
“Should I bow or something?” she asked.
“Definitely not,” Ben said, smiling. “He is not your King. Shaking his hand will be fine.” Then turning to the King, he said, “Uncle, I would like you to meet my wife. Charis this is my uncle Azhar, on my Arab side,” he added jokingly.
Charis extended her hand to shake the King's, but instead of shaking it, he held it closely then took her other hand, too, and bent and kissed her on the cheek.
“Welcome to the family, my dear,” he said. “I am so pleased for you both. I hope you will be very happy together.”
As they talked comfortably with each other, Charis realised where Ben got his strikingly good looks from. The King was probably in his sixties but still a very attractive man. His hair was dark - just a little grey showing at the temples, and he had a short and neatly trimmed beard and moustache whereas Ben was clean shaven, and his skin was several shades darker than Ben's. They were both tall, a little over six feet, and slim, with dark brown eyes and an engaging smile. Charis imagined Ben would probably look a lot like him when he reached that age. She also recognised that there was a degree of determination, a streak of steel in the man and felt sorry for anyone who dared to cross him. The King spoke to them for a minute or two, then excused himself to go to see Ben's parents, but turned back to say quietly to Ben, “That matter you mentioned to me. I have not forgotten. I will give it serious thought and take care of it for you.”
Charis watched him greet Emily with a tender hug and she remembered that Ben had told her that his uncle had spent time at their family home in Hampshire. The king didn't stay long but before he left Charis noticed that he also made a point of talking to his niece, Ben's sister, Elizabeth.
The reception was a very informal affair; everyone mingling together, except for the cutting of the cake, which they held to tradition. Charis had been right about Sir Giles taking photographs. There would be plenty of them.
Soon it was time for them to leave - they had a plane to catch. They slipped away to her room to change. The door had barely closed before she was in his arms where she stayed for several minutes before he said, “I wish we had more time but we don't want to miss our plane.” He stepped away from her and added, “By the way, I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do today. Your dress is perfect.”
“And you,” she responded. “I love that suit you're wearing – you look so good – a real dishy doctor!”
“Oh, no you don't, young lady,” he laughed at her. “That's enough of that!” And he kissed her again. Somehow they managed to get changed, packed up the last of their things and were ready to go.
As they returned to the reception room to say goodbye to their guests, Jennifer's first thought was how radiant Charis looked. Her face, as she smiled up at Ben, was so full of love for him. Jennifer was thrilled that after all the trials Charis had gone through, at last she’d found happiness and she looked positively lovely in the outfit she’d chosen to wear. The dress had a white background, patterned with various shades of blue, from a soft powder blue though to a deep royal blue. The skirt was slightly gored, the jacket royal blue with three quarter length sleeves, a round neck with no collar and coming just to the waist. Her shoes, handbag and the clip in her hair all matching the jacket. Jennifer hugged her, told her she looked beautiful and said, “Be happy,” and meant it with all her heart.
*****
Seated close together in the passenger lounge, they waited for their flight to be called, their hands clasped together and Charis wondered if anyone could tell they were newlyweds. Ben had been dressed very formally for their wedding in a dark grey suit and silver grey tie. She thought, as she’d told him, that he looked “dishy”. She’d told him before that he was drop dead gorgeous. He’d laughed it off but she knew he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Now, dressed a bit more casually, she thought he looked even better. He was wearing black, slim fitting trousers and a shirt that had narrow stripes of blue, white, grey and black with a white collar and cuffs and open at the neck, with gold cuff links and a gold watch. She thought if she lived to be a hundred she would never see him look better. He smiled at her and her insides lurched.
“I love you,” she whispered to him.
He put hi
s arm around her and leaned close. “And I you, with all my heart and soul.”
Charis felt as though she couldn’t contain another ounce of happiness.
Ben's attention was soon caught by another couple waiting for the plane. They were Muslim, and he could tell that the wife was pregnant. Too pregnant, in fact, to be allowed to fly, he thought. When their flight was called he and Charis were among the first to board as they had seats in first class. He was shocked when the Muslim couple boarded a little later and walked back into the main cabin. Ben knew that airlines were rather strict about allowing pregnant women to fly but he pushed it to the back of his mind and settled down to enjoy some quiet time with his wife.
They hadn’t been in the air much more than an hour when a flight attendant approached him and asked, “Dr. Sinclair?”
He nodded. “Yes?” he replied.
“Are you a medical doctor?”
“Yes, I am,” he confirmed.
“Well, I'm sorry to bother you but one of our passengers seems to have gone into early labour and is having a baby.”
Ben groaned. This was exactly what he’d feared when he saw them boarding the plane. He unfastened his seatbelt and stood immediately. “Where is she?” he asked, the concern for her apparent.
“In the rear cabin,” the attendant answered.
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