LOOSING HOPE

ANOTHER VISIT TO DENIZ'S SCHOOL

The next morning, Deniz's eye looked worse than the day before. Sanem tried to get Deniz to stay home form school, but she refused. Deniz loved school and never wanted to miss a day. Sanem let her go, even though she didn't feel good about it. Sanem waited until the kids got on the school bus and then her and Can headed to work. Sanem worried about Deniz all day. She could not seem to concentrate at work at all. Can noticed his wife had other things on her mind. He embraced her from behind and kissed her cheek. He told her to stop worrying about Deniz. Everything would be fine. Sanem told him she had a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Can smiled at her and told her it was just their baby moving around. Sanem smiled and told him she knew the difference between a baby moving around and a bad feeling. Can kissed her quickly on the lips. Sanem told him to come on. They had a meeting with Mr. Ferit and his son, Hakan to show them the ideas they came up with. Can was not looking forward to this meeting. He hated watching Hakan look at Sanem.

They entered the meeting where Mr. Ferit and Hakan were waiting for them. Can noticed Hakan had a big smile on his face when Sanem entered. Can immediately grabbed his wife's hand and then they sat at the head of the table. Can refused to let go of her hand. Hakan just smirked at Can. Can glared at him. Can greeted Mr. Ferit and told him that his wife was ready to begin the meeting. Can emphasized the word wife. Sanem just looked at her husband and smiled. Sanem stood up and began the meeting. After she was done, Mr. Ferit said he was impressed with what they had come up with in just one day. Sanem thanked him and told him her team works hard. Mr. Ferit said he noticed. Can noticed Hakan was watching Sanem and he did not like it. As the men got up to leave, Can shook Mr. Ferit's hand. Hakan made a beeline for Sanem but Can stepped over to his wife and put his arm around her. He glared at Hakan. Hakan shook Sanem's hand and told her he would see her again.

Can and Sanem went back to their office. Can grabbed Sanem and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her passionately. Sanem laughed and asked what that was for. Can told her he loved her and to never forget that. Sanem ran her hands through his beard and told him she loved him and would never forget. They headed out for some lunch. They went to the cafe close to the agency. They ordered their food and chatted while they waited. Can told her he was getting upset with the way Hakan was looking at her during their meetings. Sanem grabbed his hand and told him he worries to much. She told Can she was his wife and nobody else's. She did not want Hakan and never would. She told Can he was her one and only for life. Can kissed her hand. They ate their lunch and headed back to the agency. Can asked her if she was feeling OK with this pregnancy. Sanem told him yes. She also reminded him she was having her ultrasound tomorrow. Can told her he wouldn't miss it for the world. She told Can he better pray it is a single birth and not twins or triplets. Can laughed and said he could not control that.

When the workday was over, they headed home to meet the school bus. The bus pulled up and the kids got off the bus. Sanem noticed Deniz was walking rather slowly behind the other two kids. Sanem asked her daughter if she was feeling alright. Deniz smiled a little smile and said she was OK; just tired. Sanem told her OK. She told Deniz to get her homework done and she would start dinner. Deniz said OK, mom. Can checked to see if the other two kids had homework, which they did. Can told them to start work on it. They told their dad OK. Can said if they needed help, just to give a yell. He went to help Sanem with dinner. Sanem made a comment to Can that Deniz was unusually quiet this evening. Can said he noticed. Sanem told Can she would observe her during dinner.

Once dinner was on the table, Can called the kids. Deniz told her dad she wasn't hungry and asked to stay in her room. Can told her to at least come out and try a few bites. With tears in her eyes, she told her dad she really didn't feel like it. Can shut her door and sat down on her bed beside her. He told her to tell him what was wrong. She told him she really didn't want to talk about it. Can told her it would make her feel better to talk. Deniz started crying. Can put his arm around her to comfort her, but she winced in pain. He asked her what was wrong. She immediately said nothing. Can told her to turn around, which Deniz did. Can lifted the back of his daughter's shirt. She had a shoe print sized bruise on her lower back. Can asked her what had happened. She stuttered at first and then told him she fell. Can told her he wanted the truth. Deniz was sobbing by this time. Sanem entered the room to see what was wrong. She heard Deniz crying. Can lifted up Deniz's shirt and showed Sanem the bruise. Sanem squatted down in front of her daughter and asked her what happened. Deniz told her she couldn't. Sanem took her hands and told her she could. Deniz said if she told, it would only get worse. Sanem told her to tell her now. Can grabbed Sanem's hand and told her to calm down. Sanem said she was calm.

Deniz finally told them what happened. The girl that blacked her eye followed her into the restroom today. She knocked Deniz down and then kicked her in the back. She told Deniz if she said anything, it would be worse tomorrow. Sanem told Deniz they needed to take her for an x-ray to make sure nothing internal was wrong. Deniz said OK. Sanem called Mihriban to come sit with Ates and Yildiz. Can and Sanem drove Deniz to the hospital. The x-rays showed no internal damage, but the doctor wrapped her lower back to prevent any sudden movements that could cause more damage. They went back home. Sanem texted Metin and asked if he could meet her at Deniz's school tomorrow. She told him what had been happening. Metin told her absolutely.

The next morning, Can and Sanem drove the kids to school. Upon entering the school, Sanem noticed a girl shooting daggers at Deniz. She whispered to Deniz if this was the girl. Deniz whispered yes. Sanem stared down the little girl until the girl walked away. The little girl looked very familiar to Sanem. She just could not place her. Can, Sanem and Deniz headed to the office, where Metin was waiting for them. They entered the principal's office. The principal saw Metin and lost all color in his face. Metin introduced himself. The principal said is was aware of who Metin was. Metin said good and he should know why he was here. Sanem lifted the back of Deniz's shirt and showed the principal the bruise. Sanem asked the principal how this little girl was allowed to be alone with Deniz in the bathroom when she asked the principal specifically to stop it from happening. The principal stuttered and and replied he could not watch every student that was in his school. Sanem raised her voice and told the principal her daughter was supposed to be protected while in school. She told the principal he was lacking in the protection department. Metin handed the hospital bill to the principal and informed him that somebody would cover this bill. The principal said it was against policy for the school to pay doctor bills. Metin told him the court would see otherwise. He also handed the principal a restraining order. The other little girl cannot come near Deniz or the school would be held accountable.

Can tried to hold back his laugh after seeing the principal's face. Metin told the principal if Deniz came home with anymore marks on her little body, he would see him and the whole school district in court. The principal said absolutely nothing. Metin told him to have a nice day. Deniz went to class and Can, Sanem and Metin left the school. Can shook his best friend's hand once they left the school. Sanem hugged Metin and thanked him for his help. Metin told them to keep him updated on the situation. Can and Sanem said they would. Can and Sanem headed to the agency.

Once in their office at the agency, Can embraced his wife. He smiled at her and told her he was so lucky to have her as the mother of his children. Sanem asked why? He told her she was like a mother lioness when it came to their children. Sanem told him nobody was going to hurt her children. All of a sudden, their old client Ceyda entered Can's office and slammed the door. Can looked at her and asked what she wanted. Ceyda handed a piece of paper to Can. It was Deniz's doctor bill. Can asked why she was handing it to him. Ceyda said she was not responsible for this bill. Sanem asked how she got the bill. Ceyda told her the school principal handed it to her and told her she was responsible for getting it paid. Sanem asked her if she was the little demon's mother? Ceyda told her that her daughter Jasmine was not a demon, but her daughter Deniz was. Can and Sanem just stared at each other in shock.