Epilogue
Ethan
Y ou’d think after four years I’d be prepared for how gorgeous Sadie is when she steps out onto the deck. But I’m not. She’s magnetic. Ethereal. Like the princess our Egyptian staff still call her.
Her dress looks like something from the walls of an Egyptian tomb, flowing around her legs like the waters of the Nile as she walks. Her headdress is decorated with tiny gold, dark blue and turquoise stones, reminding me of the one she bought on her first visit here.
There’s a hushed oooh from several people on deck, and then Isla’s sweet little Australian-Scottish voice pipes, “Oh, Mumma. Sadie looks like a queen.”
Everyone laughs, but none louder or with more joy than Sadie.
The ceremony is short. In fact, we’ve already done the official paperwork at the courthouse. But as the captain of our little Egyptian home, Khaled has agreed to marry us in front of our family.
Much like it did the night Sadie found her pot on her first dig, the party goes long into the night.
And much like we did on that night, we retire to what is now our cabin. Although I’ve had the walls insulated and a bigger, better bed installed.
“Oh, look what they’ve done,” Sadie exclaims as we close the door behind us.
The usual basic linens have been replaced with soft white silk sheets, the bed scattered with rose petals. A sheer red and gold scarf has been draped over the utilitarian lamp beside the bed, casting a pink glow throughout the cabin.
“Who would’ve—” Sadie turns and looks into my eyes. “You organised this, didn’t you?”
I try to hold back my smile, failing miserably. Which happens a lot these days.
“Maybe. A queen should have a fitting bed for her wedding night.”
Sadie wraps her arms around my neck, her many bangles, and the coins and bells on her wedding dress tinkling as she does.
“Oh, Ethan. Thank you. But you know the only thing I ever need for my bed to be fitting is you.”
And I do know that. Sadie is happy to sleep in a tent or on the deck, or probably even on the floor of a tomb if the need arose. Which is just as well since we spend a good three months of the year in Egypt. Although we do try to be home for Christmas at least every second year.
I take Sadie’s face between my hands, my fingers trembling. Not from fear or nerves. From anticipation. From joy.
I kiss her with my whole soul, then drop my forehead to hers.
“What do you think the staff will call you now? Will they still call you Amira, or will they start calling you queen?”
“Oh, I’ve already had this talk with Tarek and Ashraf. As much as I’m thrilled to now be your wife, I think I’d prefer to stay Amira. It’s got a much nicer ring to it than Malika.”
The End
Thank you for reading The Problem with Falling in Love . This is the last book in the Falling in Love series. I hope you enjoyed it. No doubt you'll see some of the Carter crew pop up in other books. There’s no way Will would agree to fade quietly into the background!