30. Jasmine

Ihum softly to myself as I tend the roses in the garden. Six months have passed since Karul and I wed, and I still feel as though I"m living in a blissful dream. Never have I known such happiness.

As I prune one of the bushes, I prick my thumb on a thorn. I frown slightly at the bead of blood welling up. Just then, Karul comes up behind me and takes my hand.

"You should be more careful, my love," he tuts, wiping the blood away with his handkerchief.

I smile ruefully at him. "Some things never change. I"m still my clumsy old self around these roses."

Karul chuckles and pulls me close. "Well, try not to mar that lovely skin. I have a surprise for you tonight and I need you looking radiant."

I perk up instantly, my sore thumb forgotten. "A surprise? What is it?" I ask excitedly, trying to get him to reveal more.

"Ah ah, that would spoil it," Karul says, tapping my nose. "You shall find out this evening. For now, finish your gardening, and I will see you inside shortly."

He heads back in, leaving me buzzing with curiosity. I turn back to my roses, plowing through the rest of the pruning impatiently. What surprise could Karul have in store? I cannot wait to find out...

Karul takes my hand and leads me to the carved wooden doors. "Close your eyes," he instructs. I obey, buzzing with eager energy.

He positions me forward a few steps, then says softly, "All right, open them."

I blink my eyes open and immediately bring a hand to my mouth, stifling a gasp. There, standing awkwardly by the fireplace is a teenage girl bearing an uncanny resemblance to my mother.

"It can"t be..." I whisper through my fingers, trembling with a sudden onslaught of emotions. I take a hesitant step forward as if pulled by some unseen force.

I stare at the teenage girl before me, tears blurring my vision. Could it really be...?

The girl shifts her feet, looking supremely uncomfortable. "Jasmine? It"s me… Amara." Her voice triggers an avalanche of long-buried memories. My baby sister is now grown. Alive!

Overwhelmed, I rush forward and envelop her in a crushing embrace. Joyful sobs rack my frame. I have my family back! Karul"s arms encircle us both, his quiet strength bolstering me as we cling together, reunited against all odds.

"Amara?" I rasp in disbelief. She nods, eyes welling up.

A joyful sob bursts from me as I crush her in an embrace. My baby sister is now grown! I thought she was lost forever.

I pull back to look at her, shaking my head in awe. "You were so small back then… how can you be here?" I touch her face wonderingly, almost fearing she will vanish.

Strong arms encircle us both - Karul. "I never fully gave up searching for survivors," he explains gently. "I didn"t want to raise false hopes, so I kept it from you until I was certain."

Fresh tears spill down my cheeks. Karul gently brushes them away. "But then I found strong evidence she may have lived. And here she stands before you now."

I turn my face into Karul"s chest, overwhelmed with gratitude and love for this man. Not only did he reunite me with a piece of my family, but he did so out of quiet devotion, shielding me from disappointment.

I cling to my husband and sister, hardly daring to believe this miracle. But their solid embrace reminds me - this is real. We three orphans have found family anew.

I pull back from the embrace to get a good look at my sister, beaming through my tears. She"s blossomed into a lovely young woman, though traces of the rambunctious child I knew still show in her features.

"Oh, my sweet baby, look how you"ve grown!" I exclaim, clasping her face in my hands tenderly.

Amara flushes but smiles shyly. "I"m not a baby anymore," she protests weakly, leaning into my touch.

I let out an incredulous laugh. "No, indeed not. But you"ll always be my little sister." My voice catches on a happy sob. "I can"t believe you"re really here!"

I smooth Amara"s hair back, still drinking in the miracle of having my family restored. "You"re so beautiful now, just like Mother."

At the mention of our mom, Amara"s chin trembles. Without another word, I pull her close again, both of us crying and laughing together. The years apart melt away in this moment.

When we finally separate, I turn my watery gaze to Karul, who watches over us protectively. I mouth "thank you", knowing I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for this precious gift. But I will spend every day trying.

After we talk late into the night, Karul suggests Amara must be weary from her long journey here. He offers to show her to the chambers prepared for her.

Amara"s eyes widen with wonder when we enter the spacious, lavishly furnished room. "This is to be mine?" she asks incredulously, trailing a hand over the plush bedding.

I give Karul"s hand a grateful squeeze, still amazed at his thoughtfulness. He smiles warmly at Amara"s reaction.

"We want you to be comfortable here. Jasmine has missed you deeply all these years." His voice is kind but tinged with subtle sadness.

Amara turns back to us, looking confused. "But why? After so long apart… you barely know me."

My heart aches at this. I go to her and grasp her shoulders. "You are my family. My only remaining family." I tip her chin up. "That means everything to me."

Emotion swims in Amara"s eyes. She embraces me fiercely. Over her shoulder, I mouth "thank you" to Karul. Providing for my sister so generously means the world.

As Amara takes in the lavish room, still looking somewhat stunned, I give her shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

"This is just the beginning," I tell her kindly. "You will want for nothing here."

She glances up at me with uncertainty. I give her my most reassuring smile. "You"ll have your own private tutor to further your education, instruction in any subject you wish. And..."

I watch with joy as Karul warmly welcomes Amara into her new chambers. "You"ll have access to anything you want, anytime you wish," he tells her. "Your every need will be provided for here."

He gestures to the handmaiden standing nearby. "Mellifsa will be your personal handmaiden. She"s around your age, so I hope you two can become dear friends."

Karul places a caring hand on Mellifsa"s shoulder. "She, too, is a former freed woman adjusting to this life of luxury. I thought having a peer might ease your transition."

I smile gratefully at my husband"s thoughtfulness. He has gone above and beyond to ensure Amara feels comfortable, providing her with both friendship and material comfort.

"I hope you"ll find companionship and comfort in one another as you experience what wealth offers. Please rely on each other,' he says.

Amara looks thrilled to have a new friend who shares the novelty of this luxury. They grin at each other with the bashful excitement of girls at the start of a grand adventure.

After we bid Amara goodnight, Karul draws me into his arms. "Having your sister back has made you so happy, my love. Seeing your joy fills me with light."

I gaze up at him earnestly. "It was only possible because of you, Karul. After years adrift in darkness and grief, you gave me hope again."

I caress his cheek, smiling through fresh tears. "You brought the sun back into my life. Rediscovering family and love when I was convinced they were lost forever - that is your doing."

Karul"s eyes shine with emotion. He presses his forehead to mine. "We healed each other, my darling. Pulled each other from the shadows."

He kisses me tenderly. "Tomorrow is bright with promise for us all now."

I wrap my arms around him, basking in the warmth of our love. My family restored, my husband"s steadfast devotion - blessings I never dared dream would come to me.

"I love you," I whisper fervently. "You are my world, my joy."

Karul"s response is to capture my lips once more. No further words are needed. The future awaits, illuminated by our love. Together, we walk bathed in radiance toward all the sweet days yet to come.

Seasons come and go in a blissful haze. Amara flourishes, embracing her lessons with enthusiasm, her confidence growing each day. Karul and I delight in nurturing her curiosity and talents. She brings such joy and laughter into our lives.

Our family feels complete, yet continues expanding. One sunny morning, I surprised Karul with astonishing news - we are expecting our first child soon!

Karul is overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of being a father. He spins me around and kisses me breathlessly. I have never seen him so happy.

As my belly swells with our growing babe, Karul caters to my every need. He is impossibly tender and attentive. I have fallen deeper in love with him than I knew was possible.

Soon I am waddling around our home like a duck, rubbing my aching back. Karul thinks I have never looked more beautiful. He talks to our unborn child each night, utterly smitten already.

The months fly by in a rosy haze of family, love, and expectant bliss. The future unfolds before us brighter than we could have imagined. I have everything I never knew I needed - laughter, joy, purpose. My cup runneth over with blessings.

Some nights, I stare up at the ceiling, unable to sleep, dizzy with the enormity of this undeserved happiness. The girl who once cried herself to sleep in cold cells now awaits the arrival of her own babe surrounded by laughter and light.

My troubled past seems but a distant dream. Here, now, together, we have built a haven beyond any I could have conceived. I fall asleep each night drunk on gratitude, love, and hope swelling in my heart. This new life within me is just the beginning.