Chapter 5 #2
Aza could tell that Baba loved Mama with all his heart.
She could make him smile, even on his worst days.
He was always telling her how pretty she was and that he loved her.
She loved the times she would find them dancing together and the times Mama couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear and laugh uncontrollably.
Aza hoped one day, when she was grown up, she would marry someone who loved her that much.
“Mama, do you think that I will marry a nice prince when I grow up?”
“Prince or not, I hope you find someone who gives you all the love you deserve and will take care of you, even when Baba and I are gone. We will always love you no matter what and no matter where we are.”
“Are you and Baba going somewhere?”
“Not yet, darling. No need to worry your pretty little head now.”
“Mama, are you and Baba ever going to have another baby?”
“Oh my dear, you are all that I need,” Mama says as she places a gentle kiss on top of her head. “We’re here.”
Mama stops her horse and waits for Killian to come over and help her and Aza off their horse.
Aza and Mama walk over to the water. Mama looked lost in a memory, but this time, at least, it seems to be a happy one. Her cheeks grow pinker as she hugs herself.
Killian comes up behind them and says, “Allow me, my ladies,” he said as he took out a gold blanket, like the one from Mama’s story, and laid it on the ground.
Mama lets out a giggle that she covers with her hand, “Oh my darling, you are too clever.”
“I thought you’d like it. It’s one of your happy memories.”
“You are very right, my dear. I love my surprise. Thank you.”
“And we brought your favorite tea! But I won’t spill it like Baba.” Aza assures, giggling, and Mama joins in.
They both sit on the blanket. Aza moves closer to Mama so that she’s laying on Mama’s knees. Mama gently brushes Aza’s hair with her fingers.
“Mama, tell me more stories about you and Baba.”
“Have you caught the love bug? Any boys I should be watching out for?”
“What?” Aza squealed, “Mama!”
“Love will find you when you’re ready.”
“Mama? I just like listening to you and Baba’s stories; they make you happy, and I like when you’re happy.”
“What did I ever do to deserve a daughter as wonderful and as special as you?” Tears begin to well in Mama’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mama, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“Oh baby, you didn’t make me cry. Mama is happy right now. Sometimes people get tears when they’re happy too,” Mama quickly wiped her eyes. “Now, what story did you want to hear?”
Mama told Aza many stories about her and Baba’s love as they snacked and drank tea.
She told her the story of how Baba proposed to Mama.
He traveled across the sea to her kingdom mere days after she departed.
The same visit that Baba spilt the tea on the blanket.
Baba’s father did not want him to jump into marrying Mama without meeting other princesses, but Baba told him that Mama was the one, and he was going to travel across the sea after her and marry her there on the spot.
All the way across the sea, he brought her and her people many new things.
He even brought her a bundle of rare flowers that grew only in the gardens of their castle.
Mama loved flowers. He told her father that since her visit, he could not stop thinking about her, that she was the only woman in all the lands that he wanted to marry, and they did not even need to set up a trade deal; he would gladly give her and her kingdom anything that they wanted.
They did, of course, come up with a trading deal, nonetheless, but that was beside the point.
He then asked for his blessing, which Mama’s father, the King of Carthor, gave.
Mama and her mother, Aza’s Jaddah, planned an entire grand wedding in three days, and the two of them were married in Mama’s kingdom.
Baba had to return home to announce that he was married and to start preparations for him to ascend to being king, for his father was sick and becoming weaker by the day.
Baba’s mother had passed away when he was just a baby, so it had just been Baba and his father, now not knew that he had a beautiful wife and a baby that would be coming shortly after.
Back home during this time, Mama had to pack and gather all the things she wanted to take with her to her new home, and she had to say her farewells to her people and her loved ones.
She said this was one of the hardest things she ever had to do, even though she was super excited to start her life with Baba.
To help ease the burden, Mama’s mom decided to travel with her and stay with her for a while, at least until she was adjusted to her new life.
When Mama finally made it here, they hosted a grand ball in her honor to welcome the new, beautiful Queen.
She said that she danced until her feet couldn’t carry her anymore, and it was the best night she could’ve asked for.
It was interesting to Aza to hear stories about Aza’s grandma.
Mama hardly talked about her or her father.
Jaddah was yet to go home; she still lived in their kingdom in a small home in an outer village.
She decided she did not want to live in the castle itself.
Mama and Jaddah hardly spoke or spent time together anymore.
Aza knew it hadn’t always been like this.
Despite that, though, Aza didn’t think Jaddah would be heading back to her home given the fact that she and Aza’s Jiddu decided it would be best for them to part ways if she was going to stay with Mama and them all this time.
Aza just recently found out that Jiddu had married a new wife a few years ago and had a son with her.
His new wife was apparently also already married before, but he passed away.
But they were happy to have found each other.
Aza found it funny that she had an uncle younger than her.
Maybe they would go to visit one day and meet.
Mama also told her a story about how Baba cried happy tears when Aza was born, and he couldn’t stop kissing Mama and Aza’s foreheads.
She told her that, besides their wedding day, that was the happiest day of her life, holding her daughter for the first time, even though she was also slightly terrified.
Aza thought that sounded funny. Mama explained that being a parent was wonderful but scary, because now she had something, besides Baba, of course, that she loved with all her heart and wanted to do everything in her power to protect, no matter what.
Aza could understand loving someone so much that all you wanted was the best for them; that is how she felt about Mama.
Baba, too, of course, but Mama was her everything.
A guard and a chef found them and brought them lunch as Mama had spent a great deal of time telling stories. They took a brief break to enjoy their lunch together, but Aza had not quite had enough of Mama’s stories yet.
After many more sweet and funny stories, Mama and Aza decided to take a trip to the market square.
They rode their horses back to the stables and walked the rest of the way there.
In the market, the people were celebrating, for Mama’s birthday.
There were flowers all around, colorful streamers hanging from buildings and stands, and music playing.
“Queen Adelina!” They shouted with happiness.
“Happy birthday, Queen Adelina!” The townspeople cheered.
“Thank you, thank you!” Mama said in her queenly voice.
Aza secretly loved it when Mama used her queenly voice and had even been practicing her own for when the day came.
Many of the townspeople gave Mama all kinds of gifts.
Some gave her baked goods, like cupcakes and muffins; others gave her flowers, jewelry, and pottery.
She accepted them all with gratitude. The guards helped secure them all so they could be taken back to the palace.
Mama checked in with the townspeople to see how they were faring and if they needed anything.
The people adored her, and they were showing more and more admiration for little Aza as well.
They spent a great deal of time there, but then decided to move on to the royal garden.
While there, Mama beamed as she named various plants and flowers and told Aza facts about them.
Aza loved spending time in the gardens, especially when Mama was there to teach her.
Mama was in the middle of examining a beautiful yellow flower when her eyes drifted off into the distance, and the smile fell from her face.
“Mama?” Aza asked, concerned.
Mama didn’t answer; she just kept staring off into the distance. But nothing was out there, not that Aza could see.
Aza wrapped her little fingers around Mama’s and tugged on them a little bit, “Mama, why don’t we go inside. It’s almost time for dinner.”
Mama shook her head as if she was trying to exit a trance, “What darling? Dinner? Oh, yes. We should go.”
They made their way inside and towards the dining hall. Aza was very surprised to see Baba already there, fixing decorations around the room.
“Oh dear! Are you early, or am I late? Oh, nevermind. Happy birthday, my love!” Baba announces frantically before he runs over to Mama, picks her up by the waist, and spins her around, dipping her body and planting a huge kiss on her lips.
“Oh, Nefir, you wild one.”
"Oh, hush, woman! Am I not to be excited for the day my beloved was born?" Baba exclaims.
"I suppose you should be excited." Mama coos.
Baba gives her more kisses through her giggles before he leads her to her seat at the table and pushes the chair to tuck her in.
"Tell me, girls, what did you do today?" Baba asks.
Aza is all too happy to fill him in while they wait for their food to be ready.
Eventually, the kitchen crew brings out a wonderful meal.
On their plate is a grilled pita wrap stuffed with garlic-diced lamb, tomatoes, and onions.
Served alongside it is rice and a small salad.
For their beverage, they had sweet, fresh lemonade.
Mr. Almasir had a son, he says, who is a culinary mastermind who loves new food combinations and flavors. Aza has a feeling he was the one who made it. She's never met him, but maybe one day she will.
They all dig into their food and enjoy it.
After they've finished their plates, dessert is brought out. It is a beautifully decorated chocolate cake. Chocolate didn’t come from their region, so they got theirs from trade, which made it quite the rare delicacy, but Aza’s mother deserves the best, especially on her birthday.
The cake screams Chef Almasir, and Aza plans to give him a big thank you later.
Mama’s face lights up when she takes a bite of the cake.
The chocolate imports they get are from Mama’s kingdom across the sea, so Aza figures that Mama is excited to get a taste of her childhood home.
Aza is only a moment away from bouncing off the walls, when Mama giggles at her. "Do you like it, my darling?" Mama asks.
"I love it!" Aza squeals through a mouthful of chocolate, "Can we ask Jiddu to send us more?"
Mama chuckles, "I suppose I could send my father a letter and ask."
"Tank yoush." Aza mumbles, mouth still full of chocolate cake.
Aza ate so much cake her tummy felt ready to explode, and Baba had to tell her that she's had enough for the night. The cake is taken back into the kitchens, where they promise Aza they will store the rest for her to eat over the remainder of the week.
After all the food is cleaned up, a small group of people come in, each holding an instrument. They gather in the corner of the room and begin playing upbeat music.
Baba stands up out of his chair and walks over to Mama with a hand outstretched, “Dance with me, my love?”
Mama smiles and takes his hand, standing up from her seat.
Baba spins her around and catches her before bending her backward and giving her tons of kisses. lifted her back up and pulled her in tight, one hand firmly holding her waist, the other holding her hand as he glided them across the floor and spun them around.
Aza smiles seeing Mama and Baba like this.
She begins clapping. Baba looks over and reaches out his hand for Aza to join, which she does without hesitation.
She holds both of their hands as they dance across the floor.
They stay like this, dancing and enjoying the music for some time.
Aza takes a break, sitting and watching her parents continue to dance.
“I need to borrow Mama for the rest of the night.” Baba eventually announces the end of their long dancing session: “I have one last birthday surprise for her, but unfortunately, it is for the King and Queen only.”
Mama’s cheeks started to grow pink, and Aza doesn’t understand why. She reluctantly gives Mama and Baba goodnight kisses and lets her guards take her back to her room so she can get ready for bed.
One of her handmaidens helps her get ready for bed, and Killian bids her a goodnight. She climbs into bed and snuggles under the covers. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.