The sunlight was brighter than usual that afternoon. The sounds of the city drifted up the side of the building, and Jenna felt as if she could have stood on the balcony all day, sipping her wine, taking in the view.

“It never gets old, does it?”

Jenna turned, and there stood Balal, at the door to the penthouse. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, a royal blue tie, and a crisp white shirt. He crossed the distance between them, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her gently on the lips.

A year had gone by since Balal proposed, and still she melted in his arms every time.

Once Balal had recovered and been released from hospital, Jenna had returned home to explain everything to her parents. Once their shock had passed, to her amazement, they had understood her actions, even apologizing for being “overprotective” of her—something she never thought she’d hear them say.

Balal had been another issue entirely. Jenna’s mother had thought she was insane, agreeing to marry someone after less than a week, and to prove that she wasn’t crazy, Jenna had invited the Sheikh to come and stay with her and her parents in Maine for a week.

They had quickly warmed to Balal as they got to know him; his handsomeness, wealth and success certainly helped, but Jenna knew that the real reason they accepted him—and eventually came to love him—was because he had saved her life.

Jenna had had to remain in the States for a few weeks until she could get her visa renewed, and the couple had spent every day of their separation on the phone, or video chatting, since their time of day was so different. Jenna had struggled with the distance, but Balal reassured her, over and over, that things were going to work out just fine.

Jenna sighed into her fiancé’s chest and grinned. “I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this view.”

Balal kissed the top of her head. “Well, my darling, I’m afraid you’ll have to admire it from the dinner table for the time being; I’ve just pulled everything out of the oven, and as with most dishes from this lovely city, they are best enjoyed hot.”

Jenna smiled. “If you insist,” she said, and reluctantly let him pull her back inside.

Balal was a wonderful cook, and she had enjoyed all of his cooking lessons so far. But tonight, since it was a special occasion, he had promised to cook everything.

As always, he pulled her chair out for her and helped her push it in. She loved it when he did that. It made her feel like a princess.

“Balal, this looks wonderful,” Jenna breathed, beaming up at him.

He turned from the table to face her, clutching two different wine bottles.

“White or red, my darling?” he asked.

“Red, please,” she answered, and gave a happy sigh of contentment as he opened the bottle.

After filling both of their glasses, Balal lifted his glass in the air.

“To my gorgeous fiancée, the woman I finally get to wed tomorrow. May our marriage be long, prosperous, and happy.”

“Hear, hear!” Jenna said, and she went to take a sip, but Balal continued.

“And we cannot forget the amazing accomplishment of my wife to be,” he said, smiling down at her. “Congratulations to you, my love, for being accepted on the M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Al Mezinda.”

Jenna’s face flushed as he clinked his glass against hers.

“Oh, Balal, you are too sweet,” she gushed.

“When do your classes begin?” he asked, as he took the seat opposite hers and began to spoon ladles of food onto her plate. The smells that came up from the plate were enough to make Jenna’s mouth water.

“The last week of August,” she told him. “So, we will have a few weeks after our honeymoon to get adjusted to married life first!”

Her heart fluttered in her chest. It was reality! It was really going to happen!

“I am just so excited to be studying here. It’s going to be so wonderful! The firsthand experiences I will have will give me the best basis for my papers, and…”

She saw Balal staring at her across the table, an amused expression on his face.

“What?” she asked, taking another sip of her wine.

“Just admiring you,” he explained, his voice low and warm.

Jenna giggled like a schoolgirl.

“I’m so glad that you are pursuing your dreams, darling,” Balal said.

“I couldn’t have done it without you!” Jenna replied. “You, and your connections.”

Balal waved her comment away. “Nonsense. You could have passed that test if you have applied online. You didn’t need my help.”

“Sure, I didn’t,” she replied coyly, and she laughed.

A comfortable silence fell between them as they ate. Jenna was constantly impressed with Balal’s ability to make lavish, delicious meals. They were always so well balanced, and she was impressed that he always pushed for the healthier options. With a body like his, she wasn’t exactly surprised.

“So, how was your visit with your brother?” Jenna asked.

Balal finished chewing and wiped his mouth with his napkin. He sighed, but she could see that he wanted to talk.

“It was…better. He actually seemed interested in our conversation today, and stayed almost the full thirty minutes. And he looked me in the eye more than once.”

Jenna nodded. “That is good. That must make you feel better,” she replied.

He moved his fork around on his plate.

“It does. According to his doctor, he has spoken a few times in his therapy group. It’s taken months, but he is making progress. The doctor said that some men go through the therapy group and never say a word.”

“Did the doctor say what he was talking about?”

Balal looked down. “Apparently, it was something about me, and how I was able to see right through him.”

Jenna felt her heart sink, remembering that fateful day. “You mean about what you said in the bunker that day?”

The Sheikh sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “That’s what I’m thinking. But do you know what that tells me?”

“What?” Jenna asked.

“That I was right; that he was still in there, deep down. My brother, the kind, good-hearted man who loved his family.”

“How long will he be in jail for?”

Balal sighed again.

“A long time. And he should be, to pay for what he has done. His psychiatrist thinks that there is potential for true change, but it is going to be a long, hard road.”

He shifted in his chair.

“I think that he is going to have to want to change. I didn’t see that when I spoke to him. He hardly talked with me at all, but he listened. I told him about our wedding, about your acceptance at the university. I told him that I wished things were different.”

Jenna reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

There was a click at the door, and Jenna and Balal looked over. Adina stepped inside, closely followed by Jenna’s mother and father, who had come over to help with the wedding preparations.

“Oh, honey, look!” Lori cried, holding a bag high in the air. “Look what I found at the market!”

“Hey, Mom,” Jenna said, hugging her when she came scurrying across the living room.

“Look at these beautiful scarves,” Lori gushed, pulling a handful of brightly colored material from the depths of the bag. “And they were so well priced, too!”

Jenna beamed. She never thought she would see the day where her mother understood her love of the Middle East and all it had to offer.

“Oh, honey, you were so right,” her mother continued. “That little coffee shop a block away? Just perfect. I got a lovely espresso, and your father was so pleased to try some of their tea. Oh, sweetheart, it was a lovely afternoon. And Adina!” Lori exclaimed, waving her over. “She took such good care of us. She would make a wonderful tour guide.”

Balal stepped over and smiled down at Lori.

“She would indeed, but then I would lose the most important member of my staff. I couldn’t function without her.”

Adina grinned up at him, reaching up and pinching him on his cheek. Balal smiled and rubbed the spot as Adina turned and went into the kitchen.

“And what about you, Dad?” Jenna asked, turning to him. “What did you find in the market?”

“Fish!” he replied, and then he laughed. “I tried more fish, cut in different ways, cooked in different ways, than I ever have in Maine. And that’s saying something!”

Jenna laughed with her mother, and Balal joined in as well. She wasn’t sure she’d ever thought she could be this happy.

“Well, I hope you two are still hungry,” Balal said as he gestured to the table. “I made dinner.”

“Oh, you are such a sweetheart,” Jenna’s mother said, patting the Sheikh’s arm affectionately. “But wait! We bought you a gift as well, Balal; our way of thanking you, for everything you’ve done.”

Lori reached into her bag and pulled out a slender white box, tied up with a golden ribbon.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Balal replied, but he took the package after Jenna’s mother insisted.

He slowly undid the ribbon, and then pulled open the lid. Inside, white tissue paper covered the gift. He pulled it away, and then Jenna saw his jaw drop.

Slowly, he lifted out a glass heron, poised for flight.

“I thought that this might look nice on your mantel there,” Lori murmured.

Jenna and Balal exchanged a look. She understood his shock completely.

“Mrs. Jackson…” Balal began, and Jenna wasn’t surprised to see that he had tears in his eyes. “Thank you so much. This is a most precious gift.”

Lori seemed pleased, but Jenna knew she would never truly understand the significance of the gift she had given him. Something in Balal’s heart had just fallen back into place. Jenna could see it as clearly as if she had laid the piece of the puzzle herself.

Balal took Lori’s advice and gently set the heron statue on the mantle above the fireplace. Jenna saw his jaw tighten, and his eyes glistened for just a moment. But then he grinned and lifted his hands.

“Come, my new family. Let us eat together in celebration of what is to come,” he boomed happily, and everyone eagerly agreed.

* * *

The next morning started more beautifully than Jenna could possibly have hoped. The park where they had chosen to have the ceremony was lush, green, and full of sunshine. There were two dozen white chairs with red ribbons tied across the back, enough to seat the people that she and Balal cared most about.

Jenna had purchased the wedding dress with her mother in Boston. It was simple but elegant, with a strapless front, a short train, and a lovely crystal detail around the waist. She and Lori had both cried when she’d tried it on. They had known, immediately, that it was the one.

Alanna had gone wild when Jenna told her about what had happened. She hadn’t even been upset, but that was Alanna; she was an adventurous spirit, and had listened with bated breath through the entire tale. Jenna had appreciated her friend’s support when she had returned home. The events of the kidnapping still lingered, and she’d found that speaking with a counselor, as well as her family and Alanna, had helped immensely. And knowing Balal that had saved her, and would always protect her, gave her great comfort.

Balal had suggested a big white wedding, so as to give Jenna the wedding she had always dreamed about. Jenna had been thrilled, and had started planning only two weeks after he’d proposed.

Now, her father stood with her at the doors of the pavilion that led out into the park. She could hear the bubbling fountains right outside, and the murmurs of their guests. A single violin player played a traditional Al Mezindan tune, and Jenna felt a rush of shivers down her spine.

“You look more beautiful than ever, honey,” Brent said with a wide smile. “And I’ve always thought that you were the most beautiful girl in the world. Besides your mother, of course,” he added, and winked at her.

She was glad that her father wasn’t crying, because she knew that if he did, she would as well, and she didn’t want to greet Balal on their wedding day with tears in her eyes. That was how he had met her, and that was not how she was going to begin their marriage.

“Thanks, Dad,” she replied, and smiled back at him.

“Are you ready for this, kiddo?” he asked, and he squeezed her hand, which was resting in the crook of his arm.

“More ready than ever,” she answered, and felt another shiver.

“Well…then let’s go get you married.”

The violin player started up again, and Jenna knew immediately that it was the song she had chosen to walk down the aisle to; it was the song she and Balal had first danced to on their first “real” date.

Her father reached forward and pulled the door open. Suddenly, they were immediately bathed in sunlight, and father and daughter stepped out into the warmth.

All eyes were on Jenna, and she almost felt embarrassed until she spotted Balal standing up at the end of the aisle, beside his cousin, the ruling Sheikh, who was to officiate the ceremony.

He beamed at her, his large, dark eyes full of emotion, and Jenna knew, even from this distance, that he could see no one else but her.

She matched her father’s pace, allowing him to lead her down the aisle, past all of the people she and Balal loved. Alanna gave her a thumbs up from the altar, and her mother cried into a silken handkerchief. Adina was smiling so wide that Jenna wondered if she would ever be able to stop. She noticed with a smile that the older woman was wearing the necklace she had given her.

They reached Balal, and he and Brent looked at one another meaningfully.

“You take good care of her,” her father said, suddenly sad. “She is my only child. You saved her once. I ask that you will always do so.”

“You have my word, always and forever,” Balal replied.

With that, her father took Jenna’s hand from his arm, kissed her on her cheek, and gave her hand to the Sheikh.

Balal walked with her to the trellis, where white and red roses were blooming, and they stood facing each other, holding hands.

They had chosen to write their own vows; with everything they had been through, it felt like the only way to truly cement their unique relationship.

Balal went first.

“Jenna, I promise to protect you, each and every day of your life. I promise to love and to cherish you in every way that I can. I will respect you, care for you, and ensure your happiness and wellbeing at all times. You have my whole heart. You’ve had it from the moment we met.”

Jenna felt the tears coming, but she forced them back, pulling a small piece of paper from the bottom of her bouquet.

“Balal, I will be your faithful, loving, and ever supportive wife. I will love you, I will care for you, and I will be by your side for every step of our journey together. I will trust your judgment for our lives, and I will give you the very best of me, each and every day. You have my whole heart, and you have from the moment that we met.”

The fact that they had both used the same line at the end of their vows only further reminded Jenna that she and Balal were truly meant to be.

This was her destiny. This was her dream.

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife!”

Balal and Jenna turned to face the crowd of people in front of them, those whom they loved. Her parents were there, clapping and cheering happily. Alanna stood beside Jenna, mascara running down her cheeks. Adina was so excited that she was laughing like a young girl.

But all that Jenna and Balal could focus on was each other, and the beautiful adventure they were about to embark upon together.