Omer was surprised. Defne saw the question in his eyes and answered:
- Koray deserves it. Besides, - she gently stroked her daughter's pink, velvet cheek. - She really is a princess. The most real.
- Emine Diana, - Omer tasted the name. "Emine Diana Iplikci," a wide smile spread across his face. - Sounds great! He leaned over to his daughter and kissed the tiny fist. - Emine Diana, you will be the most beloved princess in the world!
The princess released her mother's nipple from her mouth, smacked it sweetly, yawned, and sniffed with her button nose. Mom and dad melted with emotion and laughed quietly.
"She's so cute," Defne whispered.
- Looks like you, - Omer kissed the head of his daughter, and then Defne's lips. - Today is your birthday, and I received the gift. A most precious gift.
He looked into his wife's eyes, stroked her hair, and went crazy with happiness. Defne shook her head and said:
- She is my gift. A gift from you. You gave me this happiness.
They were so absorbed in their feelings that they did not notice anything around. And they completely forgot that there was a medical staff in the ward. They woke up only when the nurse put ice on Defne's belly, moved the bed to its normal position, and held out her hands to the baby:
- Madam Defne, I'll take the girl. The pediatrician will examine the baby, measure it, weigh it, we will dress it, and return it to you. In the meantime, rest and gain strength.
She wrapped the baby in a soft cloth and carried it out of the room. A doctor approached Defne. Smiling, she praised the young mother:
- Madam Defne, you are smart! The birth went well, without complications or breaks. Let the ice sit for a couple of hours, then the nurse will remove it, and you can sleep. In the morning you can get out of bed, - she turned to Omer: - Mr. Omer, you can stay with your wife, - she pointed to the sofa. - The bed is not very comfortable for a tall man, but you can lie down.
"Don't worry," he smiled broadly. - It will be convenient for me.
When she left, Omer sat down next to his wife and bent down to her face. He examined every line, stroked her hair and cheeks, touched her fingers, and kissed her hands. She felt like she was in seventh heaven. Over the past nine months, Omer gave her an ocean of happiness, but the one she was experiencing now was special, incomparable. A child was born, her daughter and Omer, and it was they who gave her life. Nothing more beautiful in the world can be.
"We did it," she whispered, looking into Omer's shining eyes.
He kissed her and replied:
- Yes. We made it.
- And you got here in time. How did you manage that?
- Burak and Farah Sarafoglu were in the right place at the right time. And their private plane was in the hangar of Ankara airport.
- Burak and Farah Sarafoglu? - Defne shook her head in amazement. - It's a small world. And how bizarre fate weaves its patterns.
- Good returns good, - smiled Omer. - You once helped Sarafoglu, and yesterday they helped us.
- Where are all ours? Defne asked.
- In the lobby. They are tormented by the unknown and are waiting for news," Omer winked at her.
- Probably, I should tell them, - Defne put her hands around his face, and Omer covered them with his hands.
"Probably," he agreed but didn't move to get up. - But let them wait. I don't want to leave you for a minute.
- Don't leave me, - Defne asked and laughed with a quiet, happy laugh.
Fifteen minutes later, the nurse brought Emine. The baby was wearing a pink cotton suit. She squinted her black eyes and curled her lower lip in resentment.
"They woke her up, and the little princess didn't like it," the nurse explained with a smile and reported to her parents: "Weight is 3 kilograms 200 grams, height is 50 centimeters. The pediatrician confirmed our Apgar score. A healthy and beautiful girl.
Omer stretched out his hands and asked:
- Give her to me.
The nurse carefully put the baby on Daddy's bent elbow. Omer bent down and inhaled her scent. She smelled of happiness. The most beautiful, most delicate, and dear scent in the world. Tears welled up in his eyes. Omer swallowed them and in a hoarse voice asked the nurse:
- Please fulfill a request. In the lobby, our relatives await news. Tell them that Emine Diana Iplikci was born.
The nurse nodded in agreement and left the room. Omer pressed his cheek to the tiny head and closed his eyes. An incredible tenderness pressed in his chest. His eyes watered and his throat tightened. The baby in his hands evoked such strong feelings. Such love. Such tenderness. Such a need to protect his daughter and fill her every day with joy.
Emine liked it in her dad's arms. She stopped frowning and just blinked her eyes-olives, listening to something that only she could hear.
Defne looked at Omer's face and melted with happiness. His unconditional love for their daughter was her most priceless gift.
Omer opened his eyes and looked at his wife. His eyes gave her goosebumps.
"I love you," he said hoarsely. - And I love her. More than life!
"I know," she replied.
The nurse went out into the hall and all the Topal and Iplikci, headed by Koray Sargin, rushed to her.
- Well! - He stopped the woman. - Do not torment us!
She looked at him sternly. Koray released her and meekly took a step back.
"Madam," grandmother Turkan addressed her in a honeyed voice. - How is our Defne?
The nurse smiled and replied:
- Mr. Omer and Mrs. Defne asked me to convey that Emine Diana Iplikci was born.
For a minute, a ringing silence reigned in the hall, which the next moment exploded with shouts.
- She was born! – Happy grandmother Turkan threw herself on grandfather Iplikci's neck. - Mr. Hulusi, we have a great-granddaughter!
- Weight, what weight? Nihan demanded.
- And height? - Serdar echoed her. Iso woke up in his arms from screams and gawked surprised eyes at his parents.
- Is she beautiful? - And Esra cut in herself. - Who does she look like? On Defne or Omer?
- To Omer, right? Omer? - flashing her eyes, asked Neriman.
Koray stood and gasped for air. Accustomed to violent manifestations of feelings, the nurse answered all the questions with a calm smile:
- A beautiful, healthy girl. 3 kilograms 200 grams. 50 centimeters. Redhead. But who she looks like, decide for yourself. In five minutes I will take you to the window of the chamber, and you can see her.
And again, joyful screams echoed the hall of the maternity ward. Koray finally came out of his stupor and yelled at the entire hospital:
- Emine Diana! Allah! They heard me! They gave the girl a royal name! Ay, let me in! I want to see her!
The nurse looked at him sternly, put her hand out with her palm, and ordered:
- First, all calm down. It is night now and you don't need to scare other women in labor and babies with your screams.
- I swear, lady! I swear! Koray folded his hands in prayer in front of his chest. - I will be quieter than water, below the grass!
Agreeing with him, everyone else nodded their heads in unison. The nurse opened the door and gestured for the eccentric crowd to enter the ward. Holding their breath, they tiptoed after her to one of the windows.
The blinds on it were closed. The woman entered the room and opened them up. All together pressed their noses to the glass. Behind it on the bed, covered with a sheet, lay Defne and smiled at her family with a joyful smile. And Omer, with a necklace of fire opals around the powerful neck, stood nearby and held a tiny girl in his arms. Seeing curious, impatient eyes, he smiled and went to the dividing glass. Raising his elbow so that everyone could see her pretty face, he proudly showed his daughter to the family. A tender expression appeared on all, without exception, faces.
Tears ran down Mr. Hulusi's wrinkled cheeks, but he was not ashamed of them. After all, these were tears of happiness. His biggest dream has come true - his grandson is not alone. He has a family. A beautiful wife and a little reddish sun - a daughter. And he, an old man, will be able to see her growing and bask in the warmth of a happy family.
Grandmother Turkan was in seventh heaven. Her beloved granddaughter became a mother. Turkan was so worried that the birth would be difficult because Defne is so thin and fragile. But her strong girl once again shown what it's her worth and gave Iplikci such a sweet, pretty, red-haired miracle with daddy's eyes.
Serdar and Nihan were happy that Iso now has a cousin. Esra - that the baby is beautiful and does not look like a frog at all. And Neriman just saw in front of her a child who can be loved unconditionally. The selfish woman had one great virtue - she adored children. Especially when they're cute and sweet. And Emine Diana Iplikci was so pretty and incredibly sweet.
And Koray was lost. He looked at the tiny, pink face, a button nose, and red fluff on the round, no larger than a man's fist, head, and forever gave his heart to Princess Emine Diana. In an instant, she filled everything with herself and became the main person in his disorderly life. And life itself has acquired meaning. The crazy, capricious, shocking Koray Sargin has an object to love.
A nurse approached the large company and, softening the stern words with a smile, asked them to go home.
- Tomorrow, in turn, you can visit the baby. And even hold her in your arms. And now both she and her parents, and you need to rest.
Topal, Iplikci, and Koray reluctantly agreed. Omer put his daughter in Defne's arms and followed them into the hall. All together rushed to hug him, congratulate and wish him many years, health, and happy life to little Emine Diana. Omer thanked patiently, put his cheek for a kiss, and shook hands. When the emotional wave subsided, he asked Koray:
- Tell Sinan and the others that Emine Diana was born and everything is fine. They are worried. And tomorrow they have an important day.
- Ay!!! - He was delighted and clapped his hands. - It's my favorite thing - to report the news! Omyush, don't worry! I'll let everyone know! All Istanbul!
Omer supposed that Koray was joking and exaggerating. Oh, how naive it was of him!
After seeing off the relatives, he returned to the ward. Defne sat in bed and gently rocked the baby in her arms.
- Aren't you early to rise? - asked anxiously, and his wife hastened to calm him down:
- The nurse came, removed the ice, and allowed me to sit down. And I was able to get a good look at Emine. She's so pretty, isn't she? She has your eyes. And the lips are yours too. Plump and pretty.
"And it seems to me that she is your copy," Omer objected and stroked the soft red strands on the small head. - And I'm loving it.
- Look at her eyes! - Defne was indignant. - Black as coals!
- Okay, I agree! My eyes, Omer had to admit. - But everything else, including character, is yours.
- Omer, she was just born, - Defne laughed. - It's too early to talk about character.
"Don't tell me," Omer objected, peering lovingly into the baby's face. - She was just born, but she already knows that she can twist me around her finger. She has only to pout resentfully and cry, and dad will immediately do anything and fulfill her every desire and whim.
- My love, - his wife said with light irony, - it seems to me that Emine doesn't know about it yet. But you already know. And you spoil her godlessly. I have to be a strict mom.
- You! A strict mommy? - Now Omer laughed. - Defne, I can't even imagine it. You are the kindest and most generous person in the world. You will spoil Emine even more than I do!
- And what should we do?
- Nothing! Just live, love her, and enjoy every minute. I feel that our daughter has your kind heart and it won't be spoiled by any pampering. So, let's not get hung up on nonsense.
- All right! - Defne easily agreed and pulled at the opal necklace:
- Maybe you can take it off? - Her lips stretched into a slightly mocking smile. - No, of course, it suits you very well! But Emine has already been born, and the necklace can be hidden.
Omer looked at the opals in confusion, as if he had seen them for the first time. He completely forgot that Koray had put them around his neck.
- Allah! He muttered in fright. - Have I been wearing beads all this time? - Defne nodded cheerfully. - And what did others think of me?
- That you are an incredibly handsome and stylish man, - laughing, she joked and added quite seriously: - And yet, they thought that the request of a pregnant wife is not an empty phrase for you. That you are not afraid to be funny, that you are not subject to prejudice and selfishness. That you are great.
Omer's throat tightened with a spasm. He took off the necklace and tied it around the back of the crib.
- Let it guard Emine Diana.
"It's no stranger to it," Defne replied and stroked the fire opals. - Since its inception, it has been doing just that.
While Mom and Dad were talking, Emine fell asleep. Omer took her out of his wife's hands and carefully laid her in the crib. Having covered the baby with a blanket, he tiptoed away and bent over Defne. She looked sleepy.
- Lie down, - Omer ordered her affectionately and, pressing on her shoulder, put her to bed. - Go to sleep. You are tired today.
Smiling gratefully, she closed her eyes and whispered:
- You're tired too. Lie down.
- Do not worry about me. Sleep, - Omer kissed her and turned off the overhead light. Pulling the crib closer to the couch, he stretched out on it and closed his eyes. The events of the past day floated before his eyes as shots of an action-packed film. Only twenty hours have passed since the unhurried, sweet morning, and it seemed years. So much has happened that day that it could fill a decade.
Omer nevertheless fell into a light sleep. Consciousness turned off, but the hearing continued to pick up the slightest rustle. As soon as Emine fidgeted in the crib and whimpered softly, he jumped off the couch and took her in his arms. She became quiet, and Omer began to walk around the room, quietly saying near the little ear:
- Hush, kitten. Hush, my bead. Let's not cry and wake up mom. She is so tired today. Let her sleep.
Emine Diana listened to her dad and squinted her eyes. And he told her what a smart and good girl she was. And how dad loves her. And how they all go to the sea together. And when Emine grows up, he and her mother will take her to Italy. And on Bora Bora. She will ride beautiful, quiet horses, catch butterflies and swim in the lagoon with fish. And while Emine Diana is staying on the island, not a single typhoon and not a single storm will approach it.
Daddy's voice gurgled like a stream and you could listen to it forever, but hunger took its toll. Emine burst into tears loudly and demandingly. Defne woke up and sat up in bed. She stretched out her hands and asked:
- Give her to me.
Omer carefully put his daughter on the bend of her elbow and, without looking up, watched as his wife released her breasts, how eagerly Emine clung to the nipple, and how beautifully smiled Defne.
***
Laila got home almost in the morning. Seven hours on an uncomfortable bus turned her anger into a frenzy. She was also scared. Just to the point of horror and loss of consciousness. The TV was on in the waiting room of the bus station, and she saw the reportage. At first, she thought that the boss managed to get out, and the plan goes on as usual. But when Mr. Karaoglu unambiguously stated that Turkish gold was thieves and fraudsters, and even named her as one of the main accused, she realized that she was in trouble. And she got into serious trouble. If Hussein Chatay, the son-in-law of the head of the Istanbul police, is arrested, then she cannot be saved, an ordinary girl from a neighborhood. Moreover, this weakling Zubeyir, damn it, untied his tongue. If he told Omer that he had changed the CCTV recordings and lied, shielding the object of his love, then she had nothing to wait for. Obsessed with his wife, Iplikci will achieve the most severe punishment for the culprit. She needs to escape from Istanbul. But first, take the money that Chatay paid her for the sketch. They are hidden under the floorboards in her room. And this must be done imperceptibly, secretly from the father and sister. And then evaporate. To leave for the most remote and hidden village and stay there for a couple of years.
Lydia is probably going crazy with anxiety. Lаila thought about this with irritation. Her sister's hyper-concern is now like a stone on her neck. It will only create problems for her. Lydia surely saw the reportаge. But she could not get through. Laila, fearing that she would be tracked by the mobile signal, turned off the phone. It was ten hours ago. Even before the ill-fated reportage. This means that her sister is now rushing around the house and desperately trying to get through to the switched-off phone.
The light was on in Lydia's room. Laila knocked quietly on the window. The tulle curtain immediately pulled back and an alarmed face, like two drops of water similar to her own, appeared behind the glass. And then it disappeared. A second later, the door opened, and Lydia threw herself on her neck.
- Where have you been? I worried so much! When I saw the reportage - I lost my mind! You are accused of stealing! Your boss has been arrested! And I told you, leave the intrigues! Live honestly! What's going to happen now?
- Don't nag! - Laila stopped her and cautiously sagged at the door. - Does the father know?
- He does not watch such programs, you know. And I didn't tell him. He left for the night shift. Will be back in the morning.
- Well done, - Laila praised her. - Do we have something to eat? There had been no crumb in my mouth since yesterday's dinner.
- Oh, Allah! - Lydia fussed and pulled her sister into the house. - Let's go soon!
Having emptied a bowl of beans, Laila turned to her sister:
- I have to leave. For a while. Away from Istanbul. I'll throw the phone away and buy a new one. Once everything calms down, I'll call you. But it will not be soon. Also, I'll leave you my clothes and take yours. In a remote village, branded items are useless and will only raise questions. And you have long wanted my business suits. Now they are yours.
- Why do I need them when you got into trouble? - Lydia burst into tears. - Ah, Lаila! Well, why did you need this rich life and high society?
- Do not cry! Laila ordered her rudely. - I need to sleep for a couple of hours. Wake me up at seven. In the meantime, put some of your old clothes and underwear in a suitcase. Don't forget to put on a couple of knitted sweaters.
After giving the order, she went to her room. She closed the door, pushed the bed aside, and lifted the loosened floorboard. There, wrapped in cellophane, lay three bundles of dollars. Laila took them out and put them in her purse, covering the top with a cosmetic bag, wet wipes, and other trifles. And then she fell on the bed and instantly fell asleep.
Lydia woke her up at seven. Her head was heavy and splitting from pain, but Laila hurriedly jumped out of bed. Pulling the hair on the back of her head with an elastic band, she put on Lydia's simple dress and threw her her own, expensive and chic.
- What are you doing? She wondered. - This is your favorite dress.
- Now it's yours. Put it on," Laila said generously. - Will you walk me to the bus?
- Sure! - promised Lydia. - Just promise me that you will call as soon as you can. I will be very worried. You are my twin and I love you very much.
"Okay," Laila agreed, hiding her passport in the side pocket of her suitcase. - Just go faster. Father will be back soon. I don't want to catch his eye.
"He'll go crazy with grief," Lydia sighed sadly, but Laila didn't care.
They went out the door. On the other side of the street, neighbors briskly talked about something and looked at the Taroglu sisters with a sneer. Laila glanced at them with contempt and muttered curses silently through her teeth.
They had just got off the porch when the sound of sirens deafened the area and three police cars stopped near the house. Lydia stood in front, suitcase in hand. It was to her that the police ran up first.
- Laila Taroglu? One of them asked.
The frightened girl shook her head.
- Yes. This is her, "came a cold, decisive voice behind.
Lydia looked around and stared at her sister with a confused, dumbfounded look. She didn't believe it yet. She thought she heard it.
- Laila? She whispered, disbelief trembling in her voice.
"She is Laila Taroglu," her sister said dispassionately.
Lydia shook her head and screamed:
- Not! Not!
The policemen grabbed her hands from both sides. The third spoke:
- Do you have your documents with you?
Lydia shook her head.
"The passport is in the side pocket of the suitcase," Laila said clearly again.
The policeman took out the passport, looked at Lydia, and asked:
- Are you planning to run, Mrs. Laila Taroglu? But it didn't work out.
- Not! Not! I'm not Laila! Lydia shouted.
And then the neighbors intervened.
- She is, she! - confirmed contemptuously. - And her dress. Slutty. In the evenings she walked around here, seduced our men.
The policeman quickly read the passport and pushed the crying Lydia into the car. The cortege started to move. The triumphant Laila remembered to return for Lydia's passport and flee Istanbul as soon as possible. She spun on her heels and bumped into her father. The old man Taroglu looked at her with a stern, angry look.
- What's going on here? He barked.
- Your Laila was arrested, - one of the neighbors sarcastically told him. - That's what!
The man looked at his daughter and asked menacingly:
- Laila?
The next second, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house. He slammed the door, pushed her into the living room, and ordered:
- Tell me!
- Daddy, - trying to imitate Lydia's voice, Laila said. - I know nothing. Laila came back in the morning, said that she needed to leave. We left the house and then the police flew up and took her away.
- Laila? You are Laila! - Firmly and loudly declared the father. - You, shameless, passed off your sister for yourself and allowed her to be arrested? Did she want to run away? You have done things, but let Lydia answer? What kind of bastard are you, Laila? Where does so much meanness come from?
- Where from?! Laila screamed. - Why shouldn't she be? What have you given me in life? Poverty and sickening preaching? And I wanted a beautiful life!!! Luxury! Wealth!
Taroglu slapped her in the face and she collapsed to the floor. Whining, she pulled her knees to her chest and unleashed an avalanche of curses on her father's head. Without listening to her, he called the police and outlined the situation. Ten minutes later, the squad was in place. Laila, who kicked and spewed curses, was handcuffed and put in the police car. The father found out to which section she was being taken and followed.
In the investigator's office, at a massive table, sat the owner himself - the police captain. Opposite, with his head hanging, sat an awkward, lop-eared guy.
- Mister Zubeyir, - the captain addressed to him. - So, you say that, at the request of Laila Taroglu, you changed the recordings of CCTV cameras, perjured in her favor, changed the records in the database, and deleted letters from the e-mails of the owners of Passionis and Sapphire?
Zubeyir nodded and answered hardly audibly:
- Yes it is so.
- Your confession will undoubtedly soften your fate. But you have committed malfeasance and you will be held accountable for it.
- I understand, - Zubeyir sighed convulsively and firmly added: - I am ready to answer to the fullest extent of the law.
The office door opened, and two policemen led a crying girl inside.
"Laila" - pain hammered in Zubeyir's temples. It was her. Her figure, hair, face. Even her clothes. But at the same time, the guy had a feeling that it was not her. The look was too soft and the face was confused.
"Mr. Captain, detained Laila Taroglu," the policeman reported.
- Not! She shook her head. - I'm not Laila. I am Lydia. Laila's twin sister. Please call our father and he will confirm it.
- Father? - Zubeyir asked, dumbfounded. - What father? You only have a grandmother! Sick!
"We don't have a grandmother," the girl replied, swallowing tears. "Both died more than ten years ago. Laila invented it to look like Defne Iplikci. She was obsessed with her. She wanted to take her life and appropriate everything she had - her husband, wealth, company, and position in society.
Zubeyir looked at the girl with a confused, dumbfounded look. And the captain, on the contrary, was intent and thoughtful. His phone rang. He accepted the call and listened silently.
- Go to the detention and take her here, - the investigator ordered sternly and threw the phone on the table. Looking carefully at the girl, he asked her:
- Ms. Taroglu, do you know this man? - He pointed to Zubeyir.
She shook her head in the negative and replied:
- Not. I've never seen him before.
- Do you, Zubeyir, know this girl? - The captain turned to the guy.
"I know her face," he replied. "But I don't know the person. This is not Laila. Although they are similar, like two drops of water.
Fifteen minutes later, Laila, screaming and pouring out threats, was brought into the office. Seeing Zubeyir, she hissed at him:
- Stinking ferret! Came to lay me down? So your hands are also elbow-deep in the mud! Do you think I'll be silent? I'll tell them everything! Let your sick mommy get ready to carry your parcels to jail.
- Laila, - Lydia snapped at her in confusion. - Is this you?
- I am!!! - Laila yelled at her. - I am!!! I've always been like this. Bad Laila! And you are the angel Lydia! Holy girl! I hate you!!!
"You sent me to jail in cold blood for your crimes? Lydia closed her eyes forcibly and shook her head. "You really are a fiend of hell," she looked at the investigator. - Captain, I will tell you everything I know.
Half an hour later, exhausted and blackened from mental pain, she left the office. Her father was waiting for her in the corridor. He looked at his daughter and opened his arms to her. Lydia burst into tears and threw herself on his chest. He gently stroked her hair and asked:
- Do not cry. Laila is not worth your tears. Let's go home.
Embracing her shoulders, her father slowly led her out into the street. Zubeyir was looking at them. Given his confession and assistance to the investigation, the police released him on recognizance not to leave town. Now came the most difficult moment in his life. He was to go to his mother and tell her that her son had committed meanness and crime. Zubeyir did not know if he would be able to withstand the disappointment that would undoubtedly appear in her gaze. But there is no other way. There must be a punishment for every crime.
***
Omer did not understand what was happening. When in the morning, one by one, Karakaya, Minibaevs, and Tranba called with congratulations to daddy and mommy, as well as wishes of happiness, health, and long life to Emine Diana, he took it for granted. He asked Koray to call them and inform them about the birth of his daughter. But when a little later the phone began to melt from endless messages of congratulations, Omer was slightly taken aback. The melodic ting-ting sounded every minute. All countless acquaintances sent congratulations. Not understanding how they could find out about the birth of the baby in a few hours, Omer turned off the sound and took care of his daughter. Defne got out of bed and went to the shower, and Omer decided to change the diaper for the baby. And he did it. Although his hands were shaking and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Emine was so tiny, and Omer was terrified of inadvertently hurting her. But the daughter was calm under his manipulations and was not crying. The proud daddy threw the soiled diaper into the trash can, fastened the buttons of the overalls between the legs, mentally sent gratitude to the preparation for childbirth, and took Emine Diana in his arms. Again the sweet wave flooded his chest. His baby was warm and tender. Fragile and refined like a flower, precious. He was ready to carry her in his arms forever. And for eternity to feel how the heart trembles in the chest.
Defne came back fresh after the shower and happy. She changed her nightshirt to the same, but smaller, and no longer seemed to herself a balloon on a string. Fire opals hung from the head of the crib. Defne fleetingly stroked their smooth beads and went up to her husband. Emine in his hands goggled black eyes and curled her lower lip suspiciously.
"She's hungry," Mom reached out to take the baby, but Dad shook his head and, nodding toward a soft, comfortable chair in the corner, ordered:
- Sit down first. And then I'll give you Emine, - Defne sat down in the chair. Arranging the baby in her arms, Omer grumbled: - Why is nature so unfair and only women were allowed breastfeeding? What were the men guilty of that we were denied such joy?
Defne imagined a picture of Omer breastfeeding Emine and laughed uncontrollably. Holding her daughter against her chest with one hand, with the other she brushed away the tears that had come from laughter and advised:
- My love, be content with what you have. Let the feeding stay with me.
"But I'll bathe her," Omer began bargaining for conditions.
- Maybe we'll do it together? - Smiling, offered Defne.
"So be it, you'll pass me soap and a towel," Daddy graciously allowed, and Mommy burst into laughter again.
A nurse entered the room. This was a different girl, not the one who had helped the doctor deliver the baby yesterday. She held several newspapers in her hands and smiled broadly.
- Good morning! - Kindly greeted the young parents and looked at the eagerly smacking baby. Handing the newspaper to Omer, she said: - Emine Diana, I am very pleased to meet the most famous newborn in Turkey.
- What? - Omer and Defne exclaimed in one voice.
"Look at the newspapers," the girl suggested, and Omer opened one of the publications that were considered serious and authoritative in Turkey.
On the first page was a photo of Defne in the image of the Cinderella princess and Prince Omer dressing her shoe! And the title in capital letters: Emine Diana Iplikci was born!!! The article reported that a daughter was born to a gorgeous couple of genius designers Omer and Defne Iplikci tonight. The editorial staff congratulated the young parents and wished the girl to grow up healthy and happy. And no one has the slightest doubt that the girl is destined to be a beauty.
- The same message sounded in the morning news, - the nurse cheerfully enlightened the stunned parents.
The young parents exchanged glances and Omer breathed out:
- Koray...
"Don't be angry with him," Defne asked. - He did it from an excess of feelings.
- I'm not angry. Omer scratched the back of his head in confusion. - I, as it were ... without knowing it myself ... gave permission myself. I asked him to notify Sinan and the others. And he said that this is his favorite thing and he will notify the whole of Istanbul. But I thought - the man is joking. I never thought that he would literally fulfill his promise.
"Darling," Defne said, laughing. - Your acumen turned off yesterday. This is Koray!
"Yes," Omer agreed with a sigh. - This is Koray.
***
Mirai hurried to the mall. Her dear bosses had a daughter, and she wanted to buy her a present. The most beautiful doll that will become a beloved friend for baby Emine Diana. Mirai was already dreaming of how she would babysit the girl when Defne brought her to the office. How she will carry her in her arms and kiss tiny fingers. Smiling at her thoughts, Mirai walked along the park to the taxi rank. The men turned after her. A beautiful woman with a gentle face and huge, blue, shining eyes attracted gazes. But she didn't notice them. She just walked forward until a man blocked her way. She almost ran into him, but at the last moment managed to stop and step back. As soon as she looked into the guilty man's face, the smile melted. A wary, steel gleam appeared in her eyes.
- Mehmet? What are you doing here?
- I came to talk, - he answered and looked repentantly at Mirai. - To apologize. I am guilty before you and the children. Forgive me if you can.
***
Omer left, promising to return in a couple of hours, and Defne was besieged by visitors from the very morning. Grandmother Turkan and grandfather Hulusi, congratulating their granddaughter on her birthday and wishing them many years, began to coo over Emine. They even looked a few years younger and looked dashing and happy. After them, Serdar came with Nihan and baby Iso. Having quickly told the news, and conveyed congratulations from the big Iso, who promised to visit his Defo in the late afternoon, they bent over the bed with Emine and began in a loud whisper to discuss who their niece looked like. Baby Iso cooed and stretched his arms to his cousin. At the end of the visit, Nihan remembered that the newly-made mom had a birthday today and congratulated her, wishing to give birth to a dozen more little Iplikci.
"The world must be saved," she winked at her friend under the discouraging gaze of Serdar and Defne laughed. And then she replied that she did not mind at all.
Esra hugged her sister for a long time, and then looked at Emine Diana for just as long. And delivered the verdict:
- She's beautiful. Doesn't look like a frog at all. More like a princess.
Defne hugged her, kissed her forehead, and asked:
- Do you still want to work in Sapphire in the summer?
- Yes! Yes! Yes! - Esra exclaimed enthusiastically and thanked Defne warmly: - Thank you! You are the best sister in the world.
Koray was the last to arrive. He gallantly kissed Defne on both cheeks and hovered over Emine Diana.
- Diana, my baby, who came? Korish has come! Oh, how smart I am! At night, I dropped the message that you were born to all the editors of newspapers and news broadcasts. Believe it or not, they called me nonstop. I promised an exclusive photo of your parents and firsthand information in exchange for the front pages! They agreed immediately.
- So that's how he did it, - Defne muttered, but she didn't scold her capricious friend. She was flattered by the thought that her baby, barely born, became a celebrity.
A nurse entered the room with a huge bouquet of red roses.
- That's for me? - Defne was delighted. - And from whom?
- Everything is written there, - the girl nodded at the bouquet.
Defne took it in her hands and pulled out a card hidden under one of the roses. It was written in Omer's handwriting
- Happy birthday, darling! Come to the window.
Putting the flowers on the bed, Defne, with her heart pounding in her throat, went to the window. As she walked, Koray sent a signal from the phone behind her. As soon as she stopped near the window and parted the curtains, thousands of white and pink balloons came off the ground. They floated past the window, rose into the sky, and new ones appeared in their place.
Defne gasped and tears rolled down her cheeks. Koray noticed them and exclaimed indignantly:
- Skinny, why are you crying? What hit you in the head? Why cry? After all, Omyush loves you like crazy!!!