A Price Above Rubies

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Four

Sometimes Leon wishes he was like those men who beat their wives. Just for a moment, in his darkest thoughts because maybe then Hilal would have listened to him. 

Nope. That wouldn't have worked, he decides. If he'd ever raised a hand to her, she'd wait until he was asleep, kill him and use his dead body to fertilize her garden. 

But what can he do now to keep her from ever following him into danger again because something has to be done. There was a new baby coming yet their children are not enough to keep her safe. 

It wasn't enough for her mother. Leon knows that Azize's choice had a profound effect on Hilal. He alternates between being angry at his dead mother in law, to understanding her perfectly because the love he feels for his wife is no more sane than the love Azize felt for her husband. 

He and Hilal both know it. Their children would not be enough to keep them safe. He would follow Hilal into hell and she would do the same for him. 

He doesn't know where those feelings in him come from because while his mother claims to have loved his father, Leon can count on maybe one hand the times he'd seen them be affectionate with each other. 

He has no similarity in his own history to this madness. The only comparison he has is Hilal's parents. 

He's envied them but now, only his concience keeps him from thinking ill of his deceased in-laws for filling Hilal's head with their example. 

And his head too, his stubborn concience reminds him. 

Still, something has to be done. 

Yakup is trying to make him understand that Leon agreed to marry Hilal knowing exactly the impetuous, stubborn woman she was. 

"Just as I knew what Yildiz was when I married her. It was a hard road and it is a hard road still but I still count myself fortunate when she finally opened her heart to me completely. Those sisters are not easy but my life is simply better and more full with Yildiz than it was without her."

Completely. Leon wonders if Yakup is referring to Ali Kemal. Grief still rises in his throat at the memory of the brother he'd known for too short of a time. Leon doesn't ask. Whatever had been between Yildiz and his brother is in the past. 

"And I know it's the same for you and Hilal." Yakup smiles suddenly as he touches his glass to Leon's on the bar between them. "Look at me, giving marriage advice as if I know anything. I'm sure Cevdet is laughing his ass off in heaven because I insisted I would always be a bachelor when he first brought up the idea of marrying Yildiz to me." 

He pours another drink and another for Leon and they both pause, glasses lifted momentarily for the friend they lost. Young Ahmet is cleaning the bottle rack and area behind Yakup. Leon waits until the young boy leaves before asking. 

"How's he doing?"

Yakup nods. "Well. Very well. His father has behaved himself and the boy seems happy here and running the odd errand here and there for Azazt and his men." 

Just then, Little Yorgo comes rushing into the tavern as a customer is leaving. "Papa!" His brown eyes widen and he rushes towards Leon, slowing down only to maneuver his little legs down the three stairs so he doesn't fall. 

Leon is instantly gripped with panic when he doesn't see Hilal anywhere around their son and gets to his feet, Yakup behind him. Veronika is out with Acelya in town. 

"What's wrong? Where's your mother? How did you get here by yourself?"

Yorgo looks up at his father, small face screwed up with indignation for a moment as he focuses on the last question first. "I walked. I 'member the way, Papa. I'm not a baby."

Yakup snorts with amusement but Leon is too frightened to be amused by his son's insistence. "Where is your Mama, Yorgo!" he bursts angrily.

Yorgo jumps at his father's anger and his face blooms with color and his lower lip trembles.

Leon closes his eyes and attempts to reign in his temper. "Yorgo, son, why are you here alone?" Leon asks more softly, trembling inside. 

"Mama's tummy hurts. The baby's coming, Papa!" Yorgo exlaims, potential crying fit forgotten in his excitement. 

Relief, panic and excitement grip Leon all at once. "Jesus Christ!" He grabs Yorgo. "Yakup, call for the doctor, please."

"Of course. Go, go!" Yakup assures him, waving him away and turning to the wall behind him where the phone is perched. 

Hilal is in the kitchen when Leon bursts in. 

She turns to him with wide eyes surprised. "What happened?"

Leon stares from her extended belly up to her face which except for the moment of surprise, seems perfectly calm. "What ha-Yorgo came to find me because he said the baby was coming." 

Hilal looks at her little boy in consternation and sighs. "Yorgo, sweetie, Mama told you, the baby wasn't coming yet." 

Yorgo's tiny eyebrows come together in irritation. "Maybe it is and you just forgot cause it's been a long time since I was a baby. Mehmet says he knows how babies come. The mommy's tummy hurts a lot cause the baby's punching it and the mommy's scream and if the baby can't come out of your tummy then it comes out your peepee!" Yorgo explains, his face suddenly blooming with embarrassment. 

Leon stares at his wife and for a split second they both seem not to know if they should be annoyed or burst laughing. So his little brother in law is dispensing sexual education 'wisdom' now, is he? 

Hilal licks her lips and clears her throat, the corners of her mouth quirking just on the edge of a smile that Leon recognizes. His heart squeezes in his chest and his anger is momentarily replaced by the overwhelming urge to kiss her. 

"Your Uncle Mehmet is not quite right so I'd rather you come to me or your Papa about those things. Now, yes, Mommy's tummy was hurting but sometimes that just means the baby is moving around getting ready to be born. I told you it wasn't coming yet. Running out of the house by yourself was very dangerous. I want you to promise me you'll never do anything like that again."

Yorgo stares up at her, eyes wide. "I can't promise that! That's a sin, Mommy. If you're in dangers I have to save you like you went to save Papa so if I promise, that's a lie." His eyes water on the verge of tears, unsure if he'll get in trouble but determined. 

Leon feels sick inside at the idea that Yorgo and Acelya will put themselves at risk because it's what they've learned from their parents. 

Hilal looks to him for help and he raises an eyebrow.

"After what you did? What exactly do you expect me to say?"

Her pleading face changes to one of disbelief. Does his wife expect him to be a hypocrite? He glares at her, she glares back. Yorgo looks between them, sensing the tension and he bursts out crying. 

Leon moves to comfort his son but Hilal reaches him first and draws his little body against hers. 

"Please don't fight, Mama and Papa!" Yorgo muffles into her belly just as Veronika and Acelya come through the door. 

"What happened?" Veronika asks, picking up on the atmosphere.

"Ask your son," Hilal snaps.

Leon stares at her. Oh, so she wants to make him the bad guy, here? He turns towards the door and slams it behind him, leaving the house.