The Sheikh's Lost Bride - completed

Chapter Sixteen

Slipping in through the back door into Australia, via the Australian government, they arrived at her parent's house in a non-script car. Casey sat quietly in the car and stared at her parent's home that she had forgotten, her heart aching. "What is it my love," Tahir asked from the driver's seat, watching her closely. She had been nervous on the flight. On edge.

"How could've I forgotten them? My parents, my home. How could I forget them Tahir," she asked in pain, searching him out.

Tenderly he caressed her face. "Maybe you were protecting them. The rest still unknown," she looked at him for the longest time then shook her head, eyes sad.

"They only need to know I lost my memory. There is so much we can't tell them. Let's just focus on us being back together. " She looked back at the single weather-board dwelling. It would destroy them. "Promise me," she raised begging eyes at him.

"As you wish."

She reached out towards him, touching his face. "They did know you loved me. Do they know about the letter?"

"No. I could not do that. We have always kept in contact, when you disappeared. How could I tell them?"

She kissed him. "Thank you. I would never forget that. Your generous heart has always had taken mine. That is why I have always loved you, your heart." She took hold of his hand tightly and leaned towards him. His other hand cradled her face as his dark head lowered, kissing her deeply. The hours she had spent in this man's arms being loved came rushing back. There was more good than bad.

"You know it's not good to do this now," he whispered against her softened lips.

"I know," she sighed. Kissing had always led to his bed, after she got passed his rule of no bedding before the wedding. Good thing, since she didn't get her wedding, did she? Saddened, she leaned against him. "I love you Tahir. Don't ever doubt that."

Reluctantly, he pulled away and climbed out of the car, before it was too late. Casey joined his side, taking hold of his hand and pulled him down for more of that. "Better than any decedent dessert."

"Ah, yes, our very first date. Very interesting indeed," he smiled, placing an arm around her waist, and they headed towards the front door that suddenly opened.

"I told you Grant it was Tahir and oh, my, god! Casey," Janet Whyte fled down the stairs from the small veranda, and flew across, taking her daughter into her arms, both crying and hugging. "My baby is home," Janet blubbered.

"Casey?" A shaken voice came, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

"Dad," she reached for him to be gathered in a three way hug. Tahir guided them all inside, where Grant collapsed in a chair, trying to catch his breath, reaching for the oxygen bottle and tubes. Slipping over his ears and up into his nose. His gentle, glistening eyes, taking her in. She went to him, just to hug him, kissing his cheek. He had lost so much weight, cheeks hollow. A shadow of a man she remembered. It broke her heart, and was so glad Tahir had warned what to expect, otherwise it would have shocked her beyond words. Emphysema, a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs.

"I'd see to the drinks," Janet said, wiping away tears.

"No, no, I see to it, sit down," Casey waved her mother into a chair, while she went off into the kitchen, and saw to making tea and coffee, adding biscuits to the tray.

Janet grabbed Tahir's hand. "Thank you for bringing her home. What happened? Why couldn't we find her?"

"She lost her memory, woke up in a London hospital with amnesia . No name that is why we could not find her. Made her way back to Melbourne, and been working at the Grandchester, ever since."