Heaven in the Desert Ch. 05

"That was...I don't even know what to say." Ariana said in awe.

"Incredible, amazing, the best you ever had." Aaryan said with a smug expression.

"Ok, Mr. Conceited." Ariana said with a giggle, swatting his chest. "Why do I feel as if you are only going to become more possessive after this?"

"Because you already know me so well." He said and kissed her.

They laughed and kissed for a while before Aaryan got up. "Come on, let's clean off. Dinner should be ready by now."

They stripped down and jumped in the water to clean off before heading back to the car.

Ariana donned her damp hoodie and underwear and changed into Aaryan's suit jacket and her jeans shoes and socks before getting into the car and driving home.

They held hands as he drove the short drive back to the palace.

He kissed her fingers as the gates opened and then escorted her to her room where he waited outside for her to change.

She decided to change into an A-line long sleeve, floor length pink blush chiffon dress. The dress had mesh sleeves with black accents on the sleeve and bodice. It complimented Aaryan's blue suit nicely.

They walked arm and arm to the dining room and arrived just as Ghani was placing the last dish on the table.

Standing around the table were Ghani, Fadil, Haaziq his pregnant wife Linah. Running around the table where Quadir and two handsome boys with devilish looks who Ariana assumed were Haaziq and Linah's two younger sons Nasir and Numair.

"Boys." Linah said softly and they all stopped abruptly.

"Let's eat." Aaryan said sitting down at the head of the table. Ariana sat on his right and Ghaniyah sat on his left.

Quadir sat in between Ariana and Fadil as everyone began passing dishes this way and that.

"Ghani, this all looks delicious, but you will have to tell me what all of this is." Ariana said filling her plate.

"That is baba ghanoush, this is fattoush and these..." She said lifting a plate "Are Donair's."

They all chatted easily and enjoyed the delicious meal before going outside and letting the children play on the beach.

Haaziq winked at Aaryan as Ariana chatted with everyone about her plans to open safe havens. Aaryan elbowed Haaziq when Linah told Ariana they were expecting a baby girl.

All was going well until Aaryan's aunt Jamelia and cousin Kaseem arrived.

Kaseem shook hands with the men as Jamelia joined the women and looked Ariana up and down.

"And who are you dear child?" Jamelia asked in a peculiar tone.

"This is Aaryan's fiancé Ariana." Ghaniyah said wrapping her hands around Ariana's shoulders, beaming with pride.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Ghaniyah asked rhetorically. "I cannot wait until she and Aaryan marry and give me grandchildren."

Ariana blushed at this.

"And when will you two be married." Jamelia asked staring directly at Ariana.

"They will be married soon before Aaryan's 25^th birthday and I am sure they will quickly get started on making heirs." Ghaniyah said patting Ariana's hands and she turned scarlet.

Ghaniyah always made her feel like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"I see." Jamelia said. "Well, Kaseem and I must be on our way." She said waving toward her son.

"I'll see you out." Ghaniyah said, getting up and walking with Jamelia.

"Raaaaaawwwr." Ariana said making a cat noise and mock claws when they were out of earshot.

"What is with those two?" She asked Linah.

"Ghani and Jamelia have a tumultuous relationship. They have competed with each other since they were young girls." Linah said.

"If you and Aaryan do not get married, the thrown will then go to Kaseem. Which is exactly what Jamelia wants. He is a fairly nice man, his mother on the other hand...." She finished with a shrug.

"All of this excitement has tired me out." She said wadding over to her husband.

Aaryan and Ariana walked them to the door as Kadshah took Quadir to take a bath before bed.

"You did really well today." Aaryan said, pulling Ariana into an embrace in between his legs.

"Yes, standing like a deer caught in headlights with your Aunt and trying not to stare at you and think about what we did earlier. Yea, great job." Ariana said and they both chuckled.

"That's not what I saw." Aaryan said in a deep voice.

"What did you see?" Ariana said fiddling with the collar of his shirt.

"I saw you getting along very well with my sister and law, letting my mom show off as she loves to do, being attentive and caring to Quadir and showing my entire family what an amazing queen you will be." Aaryan said candidly.

"You saw all that hunh." She said kissing him.

"And so much more." He said squeezing her butt.

"Let's put Quadir to bed before we..."She kissed him and looked at him meaningfully, "Go to bed."

"Yes, Let's." He said as he chased her down the hall.

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