Epilogue
Sadie
A s much as we’ve always thought being on our little boat with a bunch of uni students is chaos, nothing prepared us for the mayhem of the Carter family. Which is silly, really. We should’ve known.
It’s lucky Ethan recently went partners with Sayed in a second boat. Which means half the wonderful lunatics, along with Nana and Pop, are on the Doma 2 . Mum and Liam declined the invitation, which was fine with me. Derek’s must have been lost in the mail. Or something.
In the four years since the Carters welcomed me to the family, they’ve also welcomed another five grandchildren. Although technically, Nick and Lulu’s new daughter, Beatrix, is not their grandchild. You’d never know it, though.
The only saving grace is two of the babies are too little to walk. Sayed and Khaled built a huge playpen on the deck for the toddlers to ensure they don’t go over the side into the Nile. In the twenty-four hours they’ve been here, there have already been a couple of jailbreaks. Thank goodness for Marwa and Noha, who are in their element, taking turns in fussing over all of them. Watching them like hawks.
And today I’m officially becoming a member of the Carter family. Although it’s a formality, really, because this family has a way of taking you in and making you theirs with inexorable determination.
I’m about to become Sadie Montgomery-Carter. Okay, the name is a mouthful. A large part of me wanted to drop the Montgomery and the connection to my father. But that meant not having the same name as the official finder of my Amarna Blue pot. Ethan said it was entirely up to me. So in the end, I hyphenated. Which works perfectly. I get to maintain my link to the pot, and to be a Carter, while still being me.
I’m in our little cabin with Stella and Greer, listening to the thumping and stomping up on deck while putting the finishing touches on my hair and makeup.
“Oh, Sadie, you look radiant.” Greer sniffs back a tear as she adjusts the headpiece holding my Egyptian-style veil. I’ve gone for a look that combines traditional Egyptian clothing with a Western look, and I’m thrilled with the result. It’s all pleated, draping chiffon and gold trimming.
Stella sits on the bed and pats the mattress next to her.
“There’s something I want to say to you, sweetheart.”
I sit next to her, and she takes my hands, which have been painted with henna in intricate, traditional designs by an excited Noha.
“When Jessie died, it wasn’t just a loss for Ethan. You know she had been like a daughter to us for many years.” There’s a long pause as Stella composes herself.
“Afterwards, whilst we wanted Ethan to be happy, we didn’t expect to welcome someone into our hearts the way we had Jessie. Then you came along. We couldn’t love you any more than we do. You’ve made Ethan smile, and you’ve brought him back to our family. I want you to know that I think wherever Jessie is, she would be very, very happy today. Some people go their whole lives without finding real love. Ethan has been blessed to find it twice. So thank you. From all of us.”
I struggle to hold back the tears trying to make a break for it down my cheeks.
“I’m the one who’s blessed, Stella. You raised an amazing man. He’s earned every ounce of my love. I just hope I can make you and Jessie proud by loving him for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, please stop,” sobs Greer, who is, I suspect, pregnant with their third baby based on her teariness, and the three of us hug and laugh-cry until there’s a loud knock on the door.
“Time to get started, so this is your last chance, Sadie. Are you sure you don’t need me to get the lifeboat ready under the window for a quick escape?” Will demands, knowing full well a grown adult could never fit through the tiny Doma windows.
“No, Will. Ethan is my lifeboat. And I’m more than ready.”