HOUSE OF HAYDAR 2 - THE WARRIOR OF HAYDAR - completed

Epilogue

A couple of years later

The finals of the Dubai polo match was playing out as Zoe watched on anxiously as Kahlil pounded pass swinging the mallet sending the ball down the field hooves thundering pass.

"Papa! Papa!" Fatima clapped her hand excitedly.

"Yes poppet, however, stay close to me," she grabbed the excited girl's hand to make sure she didn't run out the field as she had done on one occasion stopping the game to be swept off the ground by Kahlil who rode her back into the safety of her mother's arm. He said nothing just smiled and rode back onto the field and the game started again. Since then Zoe made sure Fatima was always at her side.

"How's he going?" Bella asked joining their side her son in toe and swollen belly that nearly the same size as Zoe's.

"Winning I think, however, my back is killing me." Bella waved and two large chairs were brought for them both thankful to get off their feet while their children sat down to play together. "Fatima poppet please closer to mummy okay," Zoe called since they were too close to the edge of the field.

"Children now," Assad ordered to be obeyed. Zoe loved the way he did that, tough, but in a loving tone. "Go with Akmal and see if he can't find something cool to drink and something to eat." With glee the children ran off with the guard. Fatima fussing over Assad's two year old son like a mother hen.

"Mama," Abdul rushed over with Zoe's drink to receive a kiss as he settled on her lap who placed a hand on her large belly. The best gift Kahlil had ever given her, her own special chosen children and now another one growing in her belly.

They still visited the orphanage often and heavy involved since Assad had made her finance director to make sure they had everything they needed. She didn't waste money; she prioritised and made sure the children's needs came first and organised many charity events. In the passed last weeks she had been told to slow down or she would be grounded. And she would be, knowing her husband. He meant every word.

Comfortable Zoe went back to watching the game. Assad stood behind Bella resting on the back of her chair as they all cheered Kahlil and his team, since he was captain. She smiled as he charged passed concentrating on the game or she would have his guts for garters if he didn't. The last thing she wanted was him distracted with those mallets and balls flying willy-nilly. He wasn't even allowed to look her way.

At half time he rode up to them dismounted and went up to Zoe and kissed her passionately on her lips then kissed his son's head. Assad gave up on telling him about decorum. He had lost his heart and soul to Zoe and wanted everyone to know.

Zoe stroked the side of his face. "Are we winning babe?"

Kahlil laughed. "Yes habibti, do I have to go over the rules again?"

She smiled. "You can tonight if you like." He smiled back because he never got passed the first rule to be covered in kisses. She always insists being in bed while he explained. He bent down to kiss her belly for good luck.

"Where is Fatima?" he asked looking around.

"Papa!" Fatima's cry filled the air. Kahlil circled the chair to bend down and swept Fatima into his arms to be hugged.

"Kiss papa for good luck," he said to be given a big sloppy one on his cheek followed by giggles. The best thing he ever did was adopting their beautiful children. The palace was always filled with laughter. He rarely left home. He had no reason to.

"Babe aren't you supposed to talking tactics with your team," Zoe pointed out. Nodding he placed down Fatima to kiss the top of her head. Assad wished him luck as did Bella as he strode back to his horse, saddled and rode off to his team pass the public replaced the dirt divots and stamp back in the ground for the next round.

Something Zoe used to enjoy with the other wives. Very rarely did Assad and Bella come, however, it was the finals and owning the cup would be great achievement for their country. Secretly she knew Assad was very proud of his brother. She could see it in his eyes.

It wasn't an easy win, however, they did win.

The team were up on a stage where Kahlil was handed the cup to hold above his head with pride in an uproar of cheers. Zoe heart filled with pride to almost bursting. Abdul stood at her side, Fatima on her hip soon to be joined by her ecstatic husband who took Fatima from her to hold in his arm as Abdul went to hug him. Lovingly Kahlil stoked his dark head though his eyes were on his beautiful beaming wife.

"Time to go home my angel," he said.

"Yes babe, time to go home," she smiled closing the distance to slide her arm around his waist. Bella and Assad already had gone leaving shortly after the win. He circled her waist with his free hand to guide his family to the waiting helicopter to buckle in his children in then saw his wife was comfortable before settling at her side. He took his wife hand to hold as she rested against his shoulder, eyes closing since it had been a long day and she tired so easily. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed. He was taking his angel home. The angel of Haydar as she was known to their people.

She was his angel because she held his heart. She gave him a reason to live, a reason to believe in himself and he was the most important person in her life. His greatest reward in his life was not a gold cup or winning a polo match but what was in this helicopter. His eyes rested on his children who were looking out the window in awe. His greatest treasure of all, was his family.

THE END.