Their wedding had taken place on December 1.

After that dramatic, movie-star kiss that would eventually become the stuff of Café Mud legend, Hallie and Karim had been inseparable. He’d proposed just a month later, on another picnic in the park, and Hallie had accepted, knowing beyond all doubt that this was the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

Anxious parents had warned them that five months was no time at all to plan a wedding, but the couple hadn’t wanted to wait, and Hallie had argued that they could make it work if it meant being able to wed at her most favorite time of year.

And work, they had.

Holly, poinsettias and pine had filled the cathedral with scent and color; Hallie had worn an exquisite princess-style dress, its skirt a mass of tulle, its sweetheart neckline beaded and bejeweled, its design accentuating every curve. After the ceremony—during which Karim had held back tears, telling her again and again how beautiful she was, and how ecstatic he was—everyone had headed to the ballroom of a five-star hotel for a wonderful night of celebration.

Even Aaron had enjoyed (and behaved) himself, being shifted back and forth between his mother and stepfather, his new step-grandparents, and his grandparents. It had been almost as entertaining to watch him toddle about in his miniature tuxedo as to watch the dancers themselves.

“Ah, Jaali, it’s perfect,” Hallie had sighed, looking around with the utmost admiration at her surroundings.

Each table had been covered in snowy-white linen with silver undertones, decorated by a towering centerpiece full of white branches that had been hung with glitter and silver icicles and strings of miniature white lights. Truly a stunning winter scene.

The only splashes of color in the immense room could be seen in the beautiful gowns of the beautiful people attending, in the red flower accents, and in the enormous red velvet bows hung on the back of each chair.

“You really are extraordinary, aren’t you? And with an extraordinary amount of money, too?” Hallie had asked curiously, out of the blue.

He had laughed, nearly choking on his champagne bubbles. “Yes, my love, I do. I thought you were aware of that.”

They had been sitting at the head table, taking a break from the dance floor. Others had swirled around them, however, in a veritable kaleidoscope of song and sound. Hallie had been reminded of the bright-plumaged birds in a tropical rain forest: hues of brilliant turquoise and scarlet, iridescent orange, yellow, and vibrant green.

With their out-of-this-world dinner finished, china and cutlery had been cleared, the enormous wedding cake had been cut and served, and everyone seemed to be having a delightful time.

Reaching for his hand, which he’d gladly given her, she’d mused for a minute before continuing. “Will it be okay with you if I start spending it like mad?”

“You are now my wife—we are, with the ceremony completed and the certificate signed—officially wed. What is mine is yours, also. Always.”

“Good.” She’d smiled and settled more comfortably beside him. The outspread tulle skirts rustled, and the diamond-and-emerald rings sparkled in their settings. “I have a lot of charities in mind that I’ve never been able to help out with cash. Is it all right for me to donate to some of them?”

He’d brought her hand, still holding his, to his lips. “I will support anything you want to do, my love.”

“Oh, Jaali.” She’d sighed rapturously. “I’m gonna like being married to you. You’re such a sweet pushover. I can just twist you around my finger and get whatever I want.”

“You think so, eh? My dearest Hallie,” his own smile had showed just a hint of mischief, “I will do my best for you at all times. But you will not find me such a pushover as you think.”

“Sure, sweetheart. Anything you say.”

The elder Jamesons might have been in awe of everything that had been going on for the past few months, and the tidal wave of activity that had swept them up, along with their daughter, and carried them along into places and through events they could never have imagined. But both of them had handled the flurry with surprising aplomb.

“May I have this dance?”

It had been her father, standing beside the table, looking more remarkably dapper than she had ever seen him, in a satiny black tux that might have been made to his measurements. Perhaps it had.

Immediately, Hallie had sprung to her feet.

“Of course you can, Daddy. That is, if you really feel up to it.”

“It’s just a very slow two-step, honey. I think I can manage that much.”

As they’d carefully circled the room, she’d closed her eyes and started humming in tune with whatever slow ballad was being played by a very capable small orchestra.

“Now that we’ve finally gotten to this point, you and Karim can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening,” Frank had commented, after a blissful few minutes. “The worst of the craziness is done with.”

“Believe me, there were times when I wondered if we’d make it,” his daughter had laughed. “What with the delays on setting up the final fitting on my dress, and Aaron getting his first cold, and the accidental canceling of our reception date here, and our flowers being sent to the wrong address…I figured my evil star was working overtime! But we did it, thank goodness.”

“Good thing Karim is such a nice, steady fellow,” her father had said, after successfully completing a complicated turn. “He’ll keep your feet on the ground.”

“Yep, we’re polar opposites in some respects. But it’s a good balance. It’s you and Mom that have surprised me.”

His brows had arched. “Your mother and I?”

Leaning back slightly in his arms, she’d smiled up at him.

“Talk about distinguished! I’ve never seen either of you so dressed up. Look at Mom, will you?”

From her seat at the head table, near her new son-in-law and her grandson, Joanne had sent a loving, twinkling wink their way. She was dressed—like her husband—in fancy formal wear: a navy, floor-length A-line in soft chiffon, with one single ruffle flowing diagonally from waist to hem, and a wide row of lace across bodice and cap sleeves.

“I’m lookin’,” her father had replied, grinning and winking right back.

Fakhira Al Ahsan, Karim’s mother and an extremely proud and handsome woman in her early sixties, had arrived in somewhat more flamboyant fashion, as was her style. She’d shimmered and shone in a royal blue caftan, belted at the waist, heavily embroidered in gold at neckline, sheer sleeves, and hem. Diamonds and sapphires adorned her ears, wrists, and neck. Both she and Dhakaa, Karim’s father—in his black velvet suit—presented a charming, if quite formal, image to the guests.

Some of whom—those invited by the Jameson branch of this union—were of decidedly middle class. Still, friends and relatives from the Philadelphia area seemed unintimidated by any apparent rank or royal status. They ate and drank; they chatted; they danced; they laughed. It was a party, after all.

One of the most honored couples had been given a table nearby: Chip and Annemarie Griffin, both lit up in happiness like Christmas trees with delight. Once, when Karim had glanced their way, Chip had given him the universal signal of approval—two thumbs up. And all had fared well, in this culmination of a fairy-tale wedding, with just a dusting of snow outside and soft music in the air.

Meanwhile, Karim had not been sitting idly by, these past few months, during the time his wife-to-be had been wedding planning (with his input, of course). His primary concern had been, of course, the smooth transition of Griffin Oceanic into Al Ahsan Enterprises. In between office and work demands, he had consulted with Justin Obarra, of Central City Real Estate, to begin a search for the perfect family home. In late August, after looking over several dozen possibilities, he’d found it—just sitting there, waiting for the perfect family.

A beautiful brownstone, the property was located in a substantial neighborhood, several miles away from Hallie’s small apartment, but actually closer to her parents’ house. With a city park just two blocks away, and a shady, private fenced garden in the back, the place certainly lived up to its seller’s boast of being a desirable piece of real estate. One tour of the place, and the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Al Ahsan had fallen in love.

“Oh, these hardwood floors!” Hallie had gushed.

“And the windows in each room—such a sense of light and openness,” Karim had agreed. Although his slightly more formal personality would not allow him to stoop to gushing, his enthusiasm had come close.

“Oh, Karim, I love, love, love this kitchen! Look, white cabinets everywhere. And black-and-white marble countertops. And brand-new appliances. And, look at this—there’s actually a deck attached!”

Their fervor had continued on through the bedrooms and baths on the second story, and extra bedrooms and storage on the third.

The realtor had been beaming when they’d finally returned to meet in the study.

“So. Kinda like it here, huh?”

The couple had exchanged enraptured glances, and Karim had cleared his throat.

“Well, there are a few issues…”

“We’ll need to repaint a few of the rooms,” Hallie had nicely pointed out.

“And add some crown molding here and there. The front door seems to be sticking; we’ll have to replace that. And I noticed that repair work must be done on the back steps, and we’ll plan to bring in some landscapers…”

The realtor had not been fazed, and his beam had not faded. He merely repeated, “So. Kinda like it here, huh?”

Like two giddy school children, Hallie and Karim had grabbed hands and begun nodding.

“Well, then.” Mr. Obarra had whipped an ever-ready ballpoint pen from his jacket’s breast pocket. “I just happen to have the paperwork with me…”

With a contractor hired, and Karim to oversee the painting, the maintenance, the repairs, and the landscaping, the house had been completed with just a couple weeks to spare before the wedding. Another item crossed off their joint “to-do” list; and one more after that, once personal belongings and some new furniture had been moved in.

“Am I the luckiest girl in the world, or what?” Hallie had crowed with delight, as the four of them—bride and groom, baby, and newly hired nanny, Beatrice—had boarded the familiar jet to fly away, after the wedding reception, on their honeymoon.

Karim had already arranged a fortnight’s rental of a palatial home in Key West, and Hallie had been almost as excited about that as about the accomplished fact of her marriage.

“You are.” He had snatched a quick kiss, then another, not so quick. “I shall see that you always will be, my love, even on your crankiest days.”

Now, here they were, preparing to celebrate a housewarming and six-month anniversary on June 1, with a whole gaggle of relatives, friends, and coworkers about to descend upon them. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect if she’d ordered it directly from a catalogue—sunny (but not too sunny), warm (but not too warm), and breezy (but not too breezy).

“Stop working on that platter, please,” Hallie ordered her husband, supervising. “You’ll scrub the silver right off.”

“That was not my intention.” Karim gave her a meek smile, allowing her to boss him around. “But I shall desist, if that is your wish. Besides, I just heard Aaron call out through the baby monitor. It’s time for our date.”

As he gladly put aside his tools and started for the hall and upstairs, Hallie shook her head in resignation. “You’re spoiling that child somethin’ fierce, Karim. And, count on it, Bea won’t be happy.”

Turning briefly, he waggled his brows and stuck out his tongue before disappearing. It might be said that his wife’s own unconventional attitude was having a deleterious effect upon the Sheikh’s once sterling behavior. In other words, she was rubbing off on him.

She smiled, whispering to herself. “I am the luckiest girl in the world.”

Luckiest or not, Hallie still had an enormous amount of work to do for this party—work, she would admit, for which only she was responsible. It was important for her to prove that she could handle all these tasks on her own (with help from her willing husband) without the services of caterer or cleaning crew.

True, her stubborn streak ran a mile wide. This determination had to do with the fact that she wanted to show that wealth hadn’t spoiled her—that, softened by the ease of a good life, she could yet handle whatever must be done, when it came to her home and family.

Karim was still out, pushing Aaron’s stroller with Aaron himself toddling alongside on his short, plump legs. He must have inherited that independent streak from his mother, because he always resisted the convenience of sitting during their walk until he was too tired to go any farther. Then, he would plunk himself down, wherever he happened to be—sometimes with tears of frustration—and refuse to take another step.

At first, during their times together, Karim had tried reason. Hallie had done her best to explain that reasoning with a willful child has about the same effect as reasoning with a wild-eyed warthog. It leads to more frustration for the baby and absolute tear-your-hair-out stress for the adult.

Usually, the best approach was one of autocracy. In this case, without further argument, Karim simply picked up the baby, plopped him into the stroller, and strapped him in place. Enough said and done. Then, the walk could continue in peace, with Aaron either taking great interest in everything going on around him, and chatting animatedly about it, or peacefully falling asleep.

In the back of her mind, Hallie could picture the whole scene. They had found that Karim could deal more easily with the little boy’s temper tantrums—a sign of the terrible twos to come—because of his calm and sensible demeanor. The characters of both mother and son were too much alike to allow any sort of discussion. She foresaw some storms ahead. Thank heavens for a husband who was not easily upset by confrontation!

With her charge taken away for a couple hours, the nanny, Bea, had excused herself to run several personal errands. Left alone at last, Hallie could get back to work on the most pressing chores she had set for herself. Karim had asked about her style choice—a sit-down dinner party would be nice, he had suggested almost wistfully. But Hallie preferred the fun and informality of a picnic, where guests could wander and mingle and nosh at will. Which was what she had prepared.

House immaculate and ready for guests: check. Outdoor garden area set up with small tables, umbrellas, and chairs: check. Containers of potato salad and coleslaw, bowls of fruit salad, trays of deli meats all stored in the fridge: check. Chafing dishes of beef stroganoff and mac and cheese on the counter: check.

The Al Ahsans were ready to entertain.

Let the games begin.

It was truly amazing—Hallie reflected a few minutes later, enjoying the luxury of a shower uninterrupted for once by husband or son—how quickly the time between wedding and housewarming had passed by.

Almost immediately after their return from that wonderful—and much-needed and well-deserved—honeymoon trip to the Keys (where Hallie, freed from most childcare duties, could spend her days delightfully sipping Margaritas on the beach and her nights making fervent love in the bedroom), the family had settled into their new lifestyle. Tied now to no particular schedule or routine, she could be a housewife to her heart’s content.

New pieces of furniture here; a rearrangement of curios and framed photographs there; excursions to grocery shops and farmers’ markets; a scatter of rugs on the highly polished floor.

In other words, Hallie was having the time of her life.

Her husband had recommended hiring household staff, but she had caved only to the Beatrice’s assistance, and had, eventually, hired a once-a-week cleaning service. Otherwise, she insisted she wanted privacy in their home. And she got it.

Nor had she forgotten her family and friends in the interim.

She either visited, or invited to visit, her parents at least once a week; she often telephoned coworkers from her days at Cranston. Far from taking on the society duties that the wife of Sheikh Karim Al Ahsan might be expected to perform, she had contacted a local animal shelter to volunteer her time.

And so, here they were.

She was dressed in her favorite outfit of flowing sea-green maxi dress and beige, jade-studded sandals. Aaron and Karim were ready for the afternoon. Beatrice had offered to circulate and pick up any slack.

The doorbell rang, right on time, and within an hour, the place was jumping.

Food and drink flowed freely: wine, beer, and cocktails were available, as were trays of a variety of appetizers. The mixture of offerings was as much a contrast as the guests themselves, invited to sit inside or outside, to tour the house, to make free of facilities.

“Hey, Mom, you remember Mrs. Griffin, from the wedding, don’t you?” Hallie moved about, chatting and re-introducing members of this and that group. “Annemarie has been such a help to me, with so many things.”

“I sure do. Hello, again.”

“And to you, too, Joanne.” Chip’s wife had the remarkable ability to look at home in any setting, whether formal or not, and to dress for the occasion. This afternoon, she was wearing a short-sleeved blouse and loose summer trousers. “Chip and I have gotten to know your daughter and her husband quite well these last couple years, and I’ve enjoyed every minute.”

Sipping from the glass of white wine in her hand, Joanne nodded.

“Sometimes, I can’t believe this is my little girl. She’s simply blossomed since she met Karim. I heard from someone that you and your husband recently returned from an around-the-world cruise?”

Annemarie laughed.

“Oh, that! Well, Chip lasted through about a quarter of the trip, and then he started getting antsy, and we had to pile off the ship with all our luggage. I should have realized that he has worked far too long to ever consider full retirement. Bored out of his mind! But the man has no hobbies. He doesn’t collect anything, he hates golfing, and so on. So, he and Karim are already talking about a position opening for him on the board of Karim’s company.”

“Oh, husbands can be impossible.” Joanne, agreeing, sent a fond look toward her own husband, who was already seated at the grand piano across the room, thoughtfully running his fingers over its keys. Soon, he would begin to play, and be lost for a little while in his own private space.

“They certainly can. However,” Annemarie leaned closer, to impart something not for general knowledge, “he’ll be busier soon. Our older son, JT, and his wife, Marissa, told us just last week that they’re expecting a baby in December.”

“Why, Annemarie, that’s wonderful news!” Delighted, Joanne clinked her glass to her companion’s. “You and Chip will love being grandparents; it’s the very best job ever. Congratulations!”

In his usual spirit of generosity, especially when he had wooed and won the woman he wanted, Karim had tried to buy a nicer home for his new in-laws, in a nicer neighborhood. Much as they appreciated the gesture, however, the Jamesons had firmly declined. They had lived here since the early days of their marriage, Frank had told him, and they intended to stay as long as possible.

Surreptitiously, and with the full connivance of his wife, Karim had deposited a nice fat sum into a bank account in their names, to draw upon if and when they needed.

Could Hallie love him any more for that than she already did?

Well, yes. And she would soon be proving it.

“Do you get a chance to see Karim’s parents often, Hallie?” her old friend Maggie asked her as she wandered through with a fresh tray of snacks. Maggie herself had found love not long after her and Hallie’s stolen lunch at Café Mud, and the two friends had married within weeks of one another.

“I’m afraid not.” She paused, putting down the tray in exchange for a glass of soda. “They live so far away, you know—and Aaron hates flying right now—and it’s a shame, because we all get along so well.”

“You’re lucky, then. It’s like a battle between jungle cats every time we get together with the in-laws.”

“I am lucky,” Hallie quietly agreed. “I am so very lucky.”

“Hallie, where did you get that cute little blue chair in your sitting room?” This was Anna Belinsky, from her old stomping grounds at Cranston. “It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

“Oh! On sale, of course. I walked into Morton’s Department Store—downtown, off Main Street, and…”

Small groups disbanded, moved around, and joined up again. Like multi-colored shoals of fish, gliding amongst the shimmering kelp toward this tidbit or that.

It wasn’t until Hallie, glancing at her watch, decided it was about time to bring out the main course for dinner, that Karim returned to the kitchen.

“I just dumped our son into your mother’s lap,” he confided with a huge grin. “She seemed not at all unhappy to take him for a bit.”

Hallie chuckled as she opened the fridge door to dive inside. “Yeah, she complains all the time about never seeing him. I swear, two or three times a week just doesn’t give her enough of a fix. I wonder if all grandmas are that way?”

“I’d bet my entire company on the answer being yes,” Karim grinned. “How many bottles of champagne did we buy, honey?”

“Ten or twelve cases, at least.” Distracted, Hallie was setting up her buffet dishes, ready to carry into the dining room for consumption by the masses. “A hand here, if you please?”

“Of course, my darling wife. But first…”

At that very moment, Chip wandered in to join them, followed by Frank Jameson. “Okay, Karim, we’ve got everybody assembled in the living room, as you asked. You kids said you needed some help in the kitchen?”

Hallie had to back up to get out of the way.

“Well, if one of you would please pass these glasses out so each person can take one…”

“…And another would open at least two more bottles for me…” added Karim from the sink, where he was busy with wire, foil, and cork.

A few minutes of excited confusion ensued as the goblets were handed around, and the cool bubbly was poured. Murmured questions, a buzz of comments, and muted laughter accompanied the offerings.

Karim took center stage. He dragged a somewhat reluctant Hallie along with him.

“My friends.” Beaming, he glanced around at the gathered crowd. “Thank you for coming today. It’s truly an honor to have you all here.”

Just then, Aaron, from the safety of his grandmother’s knee, let out an enthusiastic yell and a clapping of hands. “Mama!”

“Indeed, yes, Mama,” agreed Karim, over the answering chortles. “I have been truly blessed among all men, with the love and support of this wonderful woman who consented, against all odds, to marry me.”

“Well,” Hallie drawled, interceding, “I could see you needed someone to lead you through the pitfalls of life. And who better than me?”

More laughter.

“That is true. You did take pity on me. At any rate…” he paused dramatically, “all of you celebrated our marriage with us last December. Today, we have several things to celebrate, and we are sharing them with you. First, our official housewarming.”

“We know it’s taken a few months to get here,” added Hallie, grinning at her parents. “But we wanted to make sure the house was ready, and that the party would go off without a hitch. And we want you to know that you’re all welcome here, anytime.”

“All right!” a young man (an assistant in Karim’s office) yelled from his position near the windows. “I’ll take that great bedroom on the third floor!”

“That’s fine, Leo, but you’ll have to wait in line,” Hallie neatly returned. “We already have a bunch of people making that request.”

“Ah—if I could but continue…” Karim said then.

“Sorry, dear. Go on.”

“Get to the champagne!” Maggie’s husband urged, causing a fresh burst of laughter to ricochet around the room.

“Please raise your glasses and toast: that everyone will stay happy and healthy, with enough work to keep busy and enough rest to enjoy life.” Karim raised his glass, and everyone followed suit, with a “Huzzah!” sounding throughout the room.

But after a few hearty swallows, and muffled movements to break up the group, he held one hand out.

“Another moment, if you please. Hallie and I have some news that we would like to share with you.

“First, after many months of waiting, I have formally adopted Aaron, that precious little boy over there, and can now truly, legally declare him my son.”

The crowd whooped and cheered, many of those present aware of the lengthy legal process Karim had been through to officially be recognized as Aaron’s parent.

“And second, in about five months’ time, little Aaron will be getting a little brother or sister. Hallie’s pregnant!”

“If it’s a boy,” Hallie added, raising her voice to be heard over the cacophony of cheers that rang out, “we plan to name him Badir, after Karim’s brother. And if it’s a girl, she’ll be Joanne, after the best grandma in the world.” She beamed, overjoyed to be delivering the news she’d struggled to keep quiet for so many weeks.

Now, besides the buzz, came a surge forward, as friends swarmed around to hug and kiss and offer their most sincere congratulations.

The evening could only be considered a huge success. But what else could it be, with convivial folk circulating, delicious food available, and an unending supply of liquor from the bar?

It was long after midnight when things finally began slowing down, guests trickling out the front door in dribs and drabs. Eventually, Karim and Hallie almost had the house to themselves again (except for Aaron, worn out and sound asleep in his room, and Beatrice sequestered in her own), and the place was not such a shambles as Karim had predicted. Mainly because Hallie’s parents had stayed behind to help clean up and gossip.

“It was wonderful, honey,” complimented Joanne, rinsing dishes to load the dishwasher.

“Thanks, Mom. It looked like everybody was having a good time.” She was sitting, per her mother’s orders, in the most comfortable chair to rest her feet. “You did, didn’t you guys?”

“We did. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. You have a lot of nice friends.”

“We certainly do.” Hallie yawned. “I’m just glad we told you about our big news a few weeks ago, so you could take it all in beforehand.”

Smiling, Joanne patted her daughter’s shoulder.

“I appreciate that. It’s been like our own private little secret.”

“Hey, Joanne,” called Frank from the living room. “Honey, it’s getting pretty late.”

“I know, dear. I’ll be right there.” She glanced down with a whisper and said, “He’s about ready for bed. Much as he delighted in today, I think he’s about as tired as you must be.”

“Thanks, Mom. Thanks for everything.” Putting her feet to the floor, Hallie stood and hugged her mother. They walked arm in arm to the door, where Frank was waiting. Then, the Jamesons waved and departed.

Silence. Blessed silence. All around, just the hushed outdoor sounds from open windows, and the occasional bark of some neighbor’s dog, down the street.

“Oh, my darling husband.” Hallie, slipping into his embrace, let out a sigh. “What a day it’s been.”

“Too much for you, my love?” he asked tenderly.

She laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t want to do this sort of thing too often. But once in a while? It’s been great.”

“A truly memorable day,” Karim agreed. “My love, you have given me a beautiful son, and you will soon be giving me another child. Shall I now confide what I am giving you?”

“You’ve already given me everything I could want. You, a family, this beautiful house…”

“Ah. But there is another.”

“Another…?”

“House. Remember the country estate in upstate New York that you loved so much?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You—you bought it? That house?”

Karim’s grin couldn’t have appeared more proud. “Indeed. I began negotiations many months ago, and it has taken this long to finalize the purchase.”

“Oh, my gosh! Karim! I don’t believe it! Oh, are you not the very best husband on Earth?”

For a few ecstatic minutes, she was so bent on proving just how much he was the best—and how much she appreciated and approved of his expertise—that he was unable to move, thanks to her flurry of hugs and kisses. At last, with a laugh that told just how deeply he was moved, he led her from the foyer into the living room that was almost back to its normal order.

“You have made me very happy, Hallie.” With his arm wrapped around her, settled on the couch, he managed to speak softly but sincerely. “And I love you more than life itself.”

“My darling, that goes for both of us. Although, I suppose we shouldn’t depend on someone else for happiness, but should make our own. Isn’t that what philosophers tell us to do?”

“Whether that or not, I have been very fortunate to have found you.”

“And all because of—when you come right down to it—a small white lie!” Laughing tiredly, she burrowed her face into his shoulder.

And life was good. And life was sweet. And life would go on, and both would adapt to whatever changes came along. Truthfully, and together.