AlEs One Shot

3. Into Your Arms Tonight

Written By fickle-minded and co written by Hania as a gift for Raneem's birthday <3

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Halime's fingers ran over the face of her most precious asset, her newborn child. Even after four months of his birth, she found it hard to contain her emotions. While her pregnancy with Gunduz, her first child, had been considerably easy, it was quite the opposite with Savci. Her lips curved up as she remembered how she had thought that she'd always stay up single, probably suffering at the hands of the Templars. Much less the thought of finding a husband like that of Ertugrul.

❝I'm going out, Asma Hatun,❞ She smiled at the nanny assigned for little Savci, placing the newborn child on the mattress. ❝If he wakes up, then send Gunduz to me.❞

❝Very well, Halime Hatun.❞

As soon as Halime walked out of the tent, her smile faded. Marriage was something she had expected so much more and yet so much less. She was sure of Ertugrul's affections for her. But she could sense a shift in him. A considerable seriousness that she had often caught on him.

Was he. . . was he regretting entering into a matrimonial bond with her? Or now that he had got two heirs, did he find his presence intruding? She needed to talk to him. Communication was vital. She didn't want her and Ertugrul to be one of those couples who are together just for the sake of their familial bonds. No. No way in hell.

She found his sturdy, imposing figure in the tent and walked further, causing him to be surprised at her presence as he stared at her with an arched eyebrow. He probably sensed her mood already.

❝What is it, Halime?❞ He asked, rising up. ❝Something disturbing you? Is it Gunduz or Savci?❞

She met him halfway, lifting her face up to drop a kiss to his cheek and he ever so elegantly gave a buss on her forehead and withdrew apart immediately.

❝Would you prefer drinking a sherbet?❞ He asked.

❝No, Ertugrul,❞ She shook her head. ❝I intend to have lunch with Gunduz.❞

❝Then tell me,❞ He peered his eyes up to stare at hers. ❝What is it that bothers you?❞

She loosened her jaw from clenching. ❝I feel like there is something wrong between us, Ertugrul. And I intend to get to the bottom of it.❞

His expression cooled. She may be his wife but he was Ertugrul, son of Suleyman Shah and he wasn't used to someone challenging him.

❝I don't know what you are talking about, Halime Hatun.❞

She placed her hands in her lap, trying to avoid clenching of her jaw so that she could stop herself from yelling at her husband in the most unlady-like way.

❝I do know that every marriage comes to a point of middle life crisis where the husband and wife feel like they don't want to interact with each other anymore. But what I do believe is that your time has come a lot sooner, Ertugrul.❞

Ertugrul rose. ❝You are speaking utter ridiculously, Halime Sultan. I feel as strongly for you as I did the first time I saw you. Probably it's the new motherhood that is increasing your sensitivity towards things that earlier, you paid no attention to.❞

Halime narrowed her eyes. The insult didn't escape her attention. ❝Did you just call me stupid?❞

His eyes widened and he retreated. ❝Of course not, Halime.❞

❝Earlier it was Halime Hatun and then Halime Sultan, and now when I've caught your wits, it is Halime?❞

❝What do you want, wife?❞