All about him

The End!!

"Would you like to get a coffee?" Mehmet asked her as she finally gathered courage and visited him at his restaurant.

They headed to the cafe nearby. After placing their order, Mehmet told her about his sister. She got engaged to someone their father chose. Everyone was happy and then on the day of her wedding, she eloped. The family felt humiliated and broke all ties with her.

"Not even to find out if she's okay or not?" Nazli still couldn't understand how they could abandon her like that.

"My father ended up in hospital, my mother was grief stricken and the family business took a hit. I resented her for all that we had to go through. I guess more than that I was hurt that she never told me anything about it." Mehmet was being honest with her.

"Why come looking for me after all these years?" Nazli looked straight into his eyes.

"My mother repented during her last days for abandoning her and wanted me to pass on a few things. When I started to look for her, all I found was the death certificate and traced it back to the hospital. They told me she had given birth a few months before her death. It took some time to get your details, I wanted to make sure you were..." Mehmet couldn't speak and tears rolled out of his eyes.

"Okay? Survived? She made sure to find a family that cared for us, since her own family didn't bother much about her." Nazli felt angry for everything that her birth mother would've possibly went through.

"Us?" Mehmet raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not her only child. I've an elder brother." Nazli told him everything Demir told her. Her mother falling sick, father's death, giving up Demir only to find out she was pregnant again.

"I wish I found out about her sooner." Mehmet apologised for everything that they went through.

"It's too late now." Nazli couldn't stay there any longer and walked away.

She could hear her mobile ringing but she just put it on silent and tossed it into her bag. She needed some time to calm herself.

After sometime, she felt a presence next to her on the bench and she rested her head on his shoulder. They just sat in silence for sometime.

"Did Fatos tell you about this place?" Nazli finally spoke.

"Yes. She needs you now, we'll talk later." Ferit admitted but he looked a bit lost too. He reminded her about the boutique appointment.

Nazli went to be with her friend. Fatos was able to find the dress she fell in love with years ago. She looked perfect and Nazli couldn't hold back her tears as she saw Fatos have a moment with her mother.

"Everything else pales in comparison to this, you look perfect." Nazli cheered for her friend.

They toasted and Fatos asked Nazli to leave while she sorted out the alterations and other details. She called Ferit immediately, who asked her to meet him at the hotel.

He seemed to be ready with his suitcase when she walked into the room.

"I've to go Nazli. Something came up..." Ferit apologised to her and seemed to be in a rush.

Nazli held on to him as she sensed something was wrong with him.

"I met with Mehmet bey after you left. He told me what caused the rift between my dad and him... It was my dad, who helped your mother escape. Mehmet bey only found out when baba finally confessed to him years after his cancer diagnosis." Ferit told her the news.

"I don't know what to say..." Nazli was still trying to process the news.

"I'll try and find out whatever I can. See you back home." He hugged her again and kissed her cheek before he left.

It got quite busy once she was home. Fatos's wedding was in a week and she got busy with sorting the food and cake. She hardly saw Ferit, who seemed to be swamped with work as Engin was on leave. Though they texted and spoke occasionally, it felt like there was a distance developing between them.

"Everything okay?" She couldn't help but ask him when they met during the henna, night before Fatos's and Engin's wedding.

"We'll talk later." Ferit's smile eased her worries a bit.

It was a big day for Fatos. The bride made her entrance and she held on to Ferit's hand trying to compose herself. They already had an emotional moment while getting ready and Fatos warned her not to cry when she walked in.

"Engin's not whisking her away to another city. She's still going to be around." Ferit teased her, earning a glare from her.

Everyone cheered as the couple walked down as husband and wife.

"Maybe we should get married too while the registerer is still here?" Ferit whispered in her ear.

"After ignoring me a whole week?" Nazli raised an eyebrow and walked away to congratulate the couple.

"Next in line!!" Zeynep teased her as she joined Fatos and her.

"Just convince Abi, Ferit is ready to sign now." Nazli winked at her.

"And start another war with the parents, no thanks" Zeynep gave up.

Fatos and Engin glowed in happiness as they greeted guests and they continued to be for the rest of the night as they danced together.

"Things kept me busy but there was never a moment when I didn't think of you." Ferit pulled her closer as they danced.

"I missed you." Nazli rested her head against his chest and wrapped her hands around him.

"It'll never happen again." Ferit held her protectively.

After the newly weds left for their honeymoon, they made their way to the car. Ferit parked the car in a quiet location overlooking the bridge.

"We must invite Mehmet Bey to the wedding." Ferit broke the silence as they rested against the bonnet of the car.

"Fine." Nazli continued to stare at the bridge.

"You wouldn't mind?" Ferit knew she wasn't happy about it.

"It's your wedding too. You can invite whoever you want." Nazli pretended to be okay with it, though she had her reservations.

"Ms. Iqbal found these." Ferit handed her letters, explaining that Ms. Iqbal went through old files his father left behind. It was from her mother.

The first one mentioned that she was in love with someone, who was an orphan and in military. When she asked her father for permission to marry him, he denied vehemently and fixed her wedding with him instead. She pleaded Ferit's dad to help her escape and keep her brother out of it to not annoy her father further.

"Baba helped her get away but didn't tell Mehmet bey about it till his last days." Ferit finally got to know the reason behind Mehmet's anger and the fallout.

There was another one after that thanking him for the help and that they were now far away from Istanbul, building a life together. She wished him good luck and bid goodbye so as to not put him in further trouble with her brother.

xxx

It took some time for Nazli and Demir to speak to Mehmet bey again. They found out more about their mother and tried to be polite towards him. Ferit invited him to the restaurant and apologised for his earlier behaviour.

In the past month he barely saw Nazli as her parents moved in with her and helped with the wedding planning.

"I hope you sorted the things you need to do. Two more days and you're mine!!" Ferit called to check on her.

"Yes, I'm officially off work for a month starting tomorrow." Nazli sounded happy as she said it.

"A month? Isn't it a bit much? The trip is only for two weeks." Ferit panicked as checked his schedule.

"I know, I just wanted more time. Don't you think we need it?" Nazli asked him.

"I know you love Japanese culture and all but two weeks is good. It'll start to feel like a drag after that." Ferit defended his plan.

"I know, I'm taking extra time for settling myself in my new home. Don't worry you can still go back to your work." Nazli assured him.

"That's even more concerning, but I'll go along with it as long as you include me in your plans." He was looking forward to transforming his space into a family home for them.

It was the day they were waiting for. Ferit couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked towards him in her full bridal glory. She smiled at everyone as she walked with her dad by her side.

Ferit held her hand, once they signed the documents. Nazli squeezed his hand in response and gave him her brightest smile. They hugged their parents and siblings, who showered them with wishes.

As she wished, the ceremony took place in the garden and attended by only their family and friends. To keep the families happy, they agreed to a reception arranged by them but on a later day.

"Thank you for letting me be part of your special day." Mehmet bey wished them luck and they took blessings from him.

The family bid them goodbye and left the home to them.

"I'm going to frame this." Nazli showed him the painting Bulut made for them.

"Of course" Ferit hugged her from behind, admiring the picture.

"Do you want to open rest of the presents now?" Nazli asked him as she turned towards him.

"They can wait. There's something more important I'm itching to open." Ferit grinned cheekily, his hands tracing their way to the buttons on the back of her dress.

"I know a way to fix that itch" Nazli took his hand and guided him upstairs to their room.

"You're evil, I should've known that." Ferit frowned as he pulled another pin from her hair.

"It looked perfect, didn't it? Not a strand was out of place, the hairdresser stuffed a whole of box of them in." Nazli directed him to another one.

"That's it, all done." Ferit ran his hand through her hair straightening it.

"Maybe now you could help me with the buttons?" Nazli pulled him closer and they ended up on bed.

Next morning they woke up late and rushed to get ready to catch the flight. He knew he made the right choice to come to Japan as his wife gleamed in happiness and marvelled at everything she saw. He struggled with the food but with Nazli by his side, he was bound to experiment and try new foods.

"Good morning" She kissed his cheek as he hugged her from behind while she was chopping.

"Morning... Did you make all this?" Ferit looked at the Turkish spread on the counter.

"I figured you'd need this after all the food I made you try the past two weeks." Nazli turned to face him.

"Nothing beats this omelette." Ferit took a bite and savoured it.

"I still can't figure if I should be flattered or annoyed. Omelette among everything I made for you?" Nazli shook her head.

"Always!!" Ferit held out the fork for her to eat and she took a bite.

"Aren't you late for work?" Nazli asked him once they finished breakfast.

"I figured you'd need help settling in, so I decided to work from home." He pulled her to sit on his lap.

"Ah, you should've told me. I didn't want to be all alone, so I called someone over." Nazli got up startled as they heard the door noise.

"You're home too. Yippee" Bulut came running to him.

He played with Bulut for a bit and went to attend his work calls. He could see Nazli and Bulut messing about in the kitchen and he knew they were making something.

They weren't making much progress on the call and it was annoying him. Luckily, Nazli dropped by with some tea and he blew her a flying kiss.

"Babaannem told me that I can finally have a cousin now since uncle and you are married." Ferit heard Bulut as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Did she?" Nazli turned red.

"Do you know all my friends have siblings or cousins to play with? When will I get one?" Bulut innocently asked her.

"Tell him Nazli." Ferit teased her as he joined them.

"When you're ready to be a big brother, I'm sure you'll become one." Nazli chided Ferit with her eyes as he put her in a difficult spot.

Luckily the timer pinged and it was time to take the cookies out of the oven.

"Thanks for the tea." He put the tea cup in the dishwasher.

Nazli bowed in response, delighted. The first time she made it for him, he refused to even drink it.

"What's that for?" Ferit looked at her amused.

"You're now drinking tea with strange things in it. Look at the progress I made!!" Nazli admired herself.

"Wish I could say the same..." Ferit pointed at the mess on the kitchen counter.

"The proof is right there, we got a blue couch and not a red one... It's better than grey though, I'm not complaining." Nazli pointed at the new sofa he selected.

"Oof you are just like my parents, always bickering about things." Bulut picked up a cookie and left.

"Can I get one too?" Ferit hugged her from behind in peace.

Nazli picked one, blew on it and fed him. He started nuzzling on her neck and she was quick to remind him that they were not alone.

Bulut ran back to pick another one and he left her to get back to his desk. She pulled him back by hand and left a peck on the cheek as Bulut turned away from them.

She was busy watching a documentary when he walked into the room.

"Where's Bulut?" Ferit asked her as he sat beside her.

"Tarik picked him up an hour ago." Nazli was munching on popcorn and she fed him too.

"What's happening at the restaurant?" Ferit enquired as she was watching telly in peace.

"It's doing okay, the critic review did wonders and the numbers are picking up." Nazli told him about her call with Manami.

"Have you thought about...?" Ferit hesitated for a while when Nazli cut him off.

"Like I told Bulut, it'll happen when it has to. I know you love kids and I do too but there's no rush." Nazli went on a rant.

"I meant another restaurant but of course no need to rush." Ferit held back the chuckle.

"Zeynep's expecting us for dinner." Nazli stomped her feet and left the room while Ferit giggled.

"The newlyweds are finally here!!" Zeynep welcomed them in.

They ate dinner together and Ferit offered to put Bulut to bed while Nazli helped Zeynep to clear up.

"I read three books and I almost fell asleep." Ferit complained once they all sat down.

"It's getting harder to set him to bed. Are we still on to pick your reception dress tomorrow?" Zeynep asked Nazli.

"Yep, but I might've to try again. It might not fit." Nazli knew the dress wouldn't fit her as it was.

"Really?" Zeynep held her hands in excitement.

"Calm down, I just went a little overboard with eating in Japan." Nazli's eyes went wide in horror.

"I didn't assume anything. I know it's too soon. The other dress suited you better anyway, maybe we can swap if they still have it." Zeynep continued to sip tea.

"What happened?" Demir asked Ferit as he couldn't stop grinning.

"Nothing." Ferit sobered as Nazli gave him a side eye.

The discussion then moved on to the reception and it was time to leave.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ferit asked again while they were driving home as Nazli was unusually quiet.

"I'm fine just.." Nazli was hesitant.

"You seem to be lost in thoughts all evening and it's quite clear only a certain thing seems to be on your mind." Ferit teased her.

"Ahh what do I do? Fine, I'll tell you." Nazli let out a sigh. Before she could, they got interrupted by a call.

Nazli gestured him to answer the call and it got connected to the Bluetooth speaker.

"Ferit, what's happening? I mean I know we're already married and it's the next step, but isn't it too soon?? I still can't believe I'll be a dad." Engin went on a rant, which after a point sounded like gibberish to him.

He looked at Nazli, who nodded in confirmation.

"What do I say? What do I do?" Engin was still going on.

"That's great news Engin. Congratulations!!! I'm driving and Nazli is here too, you're on speaker." Ferit alerted Engin.

"Ah, hey Nazli... Ignore me, I was a tad bit overwhelmed." Engin tried to cover up.

"Don't worry, you're not alone, I had a similar panic call from Fatos before she took the test. Talk to her, she's feeling the same." Nazli gave him confidence to talk to Fatos.

"Will they be fine? It would be wonderful to have another niece/nephew and this time we can hold them together." Ferit held her hand once he parked the car in the driveway.

"I'm sure they'll work it out. That would be nice, isn't it?" Nazli shared his excitement.

"What about us? I mean if we were to be in the same situation in future." Ferit approached the topic hesitantly.

"Hmm, I did think about it. I'm sure you'll be much calmer than Engin while I'd panic like Fatos." Nazli told him her opinion.

"True, but I'm not in a rush. I'd like to spend some more time together as a couple before we become parents." Ferit held her hand and placed a kiss on it.

"I'm glad we're on same page." Nazli happily rested her head on his shoulder.

xxx

Though they had their share of fights, it had been a wonderful year of marriage. Ferit surprised her with a trip to the Northen Lights and she couldn't be more happier. When they returned, he had to go on a business trip to Izmir and she was left alone. He told her it was for 3 days and it got extended to a week. She stopped answering his calls after day 5 annoyed that he didn't come back as promised. Nazli was busy prepping in the restaurant when her mobile rang. She thought for a moment whether to answer or not but then she looked at the display picture of her husband and her happily posing in the backdrop of Northern Lights and decided to end the Cold War.

"Naz, I'm definitely coming home tonight." Ferit told her as soon as she answered.

"Are you sure? You texted that yesterday too." Nazli still seemed skeptic as he sent her a text that he was coming back when she didn't answer the call.

"Would you believe me if I say I'm already on the way?" Ferit told her he was driving.

"Maybe if you give me the ETA?" Nazli wanted to know so she could get home and welcome him.

"Fine, I can't wait to hold you again." Ferit missed her too and she knew it.

"Me too, there'll be a surprise waiting for you." Nazli instantly cheered up as he shared his drive details with her.

She finished her work and went home to freshen up. Just as she got ready and came downstairs, her friend came in.

"Are you sure about it?" Fatos asked her for the thousandth time since they made the plan.

"I'm. Arya and I are going to have a wonderful time." Nazli assured her as she cuddled the baby in her arms.

"She just had a feed, I'm leaving these in the fridge incase she gets hungry." Fatos left a bottle of milk in the fridge and gave her instructions to warm it up for later.

"I know, just go and enjoy your dinner." Nazli pushed Fatos out so the new parents can enjoy a movie and dinner.

Arya was 6 weeks old and the new parents were still skeptic to head out without baby in tow. Nazli knew Fatos wanted a break and suggested that she'd look after the baby.

"Aren't you a cutie!!" Nazli admired the baby in her arms, who seemed to be busy deciding whether to fall asleep or watch her. She rocked her for a bit and the baby fell asleep.

She put Arya down in the rocker chair that Fatos left for her and carried to the kitchen. She made soup for dinner and checked the mobile to see how far away Ferit was. The link didn't work and she heard the door just then. Arya woke up at the same time and she picked her up.

"Hello" Nazli waved at Ferit holding Arya's hand in hers.

"Hello" Ferit's eyes gleamed in happiness as he saw the bundle of joy.

He removed his jacket and went to wash his hands instantly. After placing a quick kiss on Nazli's forehead, he held Arya in his arms.

"I like your surprise. She's grown so much already." Ferit admired the baby.

"I know, let me get her milk before she gets upset." Nazli went to warm the milk as she could see the baby was starting to get fussy.

She took Arya from him to give her the bottle and gestured him to drink the soup she served for him.

"Did you eat?" Ferit asked her and she nodded in negative.

Ferit sat down next to her with the bowl in his hand.

"I can get used to this." Nazli eyes shone in happiness as her husband fed her.

"Me too" Ferit agreed with her as he admired her.

"Good... because this might be our life soon." Nazli looked at him expectedly.

He held out another spoon for her and then looked up and down at the baby and her trying to make sense of her words.

"You mean to say you're.. we're...." Ferit struggled with words for the first time.

Nazli simply nodded while Ferit put the bowl on the table and pulled her into a side hug, mindful of the baby in her arms.

She told him how she found out 3 days back and was trying to hold back her excitement. She knew she couldn't hide it from him when they spoke so chose to not answer the calls.

"I wanted to see you when I told you." Nazli told him and he leaned in for a kiss. She dodged pointing to the baby and he simply left a kiss on her forehead.

Arya was sleeping again and they placed her in the rocker. Ferit hugged her and lifted her off the ground.

"Put me down. Don't make me all dizzy now." Nazli complained and he put her down though he still held her close.

"How have you been? Any sickness?" Ferit was concerned all of a sudden.

"No, I'm okay for now. I've scheduled an appointment for next week." Nazli asked him to clear his diary for the day.

"Maybe we can tell the family after the appointment then." Ferit suggested and she agreed.

Ferit went to freshen up and by the time he came down, Engin and Fatos were there to pick up Arya. They bid goodbye to Arya, after a promise that she'll be back soon.

"I still can't believe it." Ferit rested his head in Nazli's lap as she played with his hair.

"I know" Nazli felt the same, she randomly did a test as she realised she hadn't had her periods yet.

"We're going to be parents soon." Ferit finally said it as he sealed her lips with his .

xxx

That's it!! It's a wrap on this one. I've a few ideas that I'm working on, you'll see them incase I get to the end. Thank you for patience and love for this story.