Omer, with great care, helped Defne down the ladder to the pier. The belly made her awkward, and she was afraid that she would slip and harm Emine. Omer confidently held her hands and his eyes said: "Don't be afraid! I will never let you fall! "And she believed. She completely trusted in his strong hands, and in a minute she felt solid ground under her feet.

- Hurrah! - She exclaimed with relief. "I got here safe and sound. Allah, almost two months before giving birth. If I'm so big and clumsy now, what will happen next?

- And you are not big at all, - objected Omer and carefully supported his wife by the waist. - You are sweet and beautiful.

- Ay, you just say what I want to hear, - Defne dismissed his words.

"Nothing of the sort," he said patiently, and reminded her, "I hate lies if you remember."

- I remember, - Defne grumbled and looked around. Her eyes widened in surprise. Looking at the upward path lined with stones, the garden, the roof of the house visible behind it, Defne involuntarily gasped. Today the trees were dressed in green leaves instead of crimson, but other than that, there was no difference. Omer brought her to the very house where their secret wedding and two happy days away from Istanbul took place. - Omer! You rented the same house! - Defne exclaimed happily and hugged her husband. Omer happily clasped his arms around her and slyly objected:

- Didn't rent it.

Defne pulled away and looked incredulously into his sly face.

- What do you mean by "did not rent it"?

"That is what it means," Omer put his arm around her waist and led her up the path. "This is our home now."

- You bought the house?! Defne breathed enthusiastically. - The same one?

"But you wanted a house on the island," he reminded her. - If we buy, then why not the one with which wonderful memories are associated.

- Yes! Yes! Yes! - Stopping in front of the wide terrace, she exclaimed. - Darling, what a romantic you are! I'll probably never get used to your overwhelming surprises!

Omer hugged her from the back, covered her stomach with his palms, and whispered in her ear:

"It's easy to be romantic with you. And make surprises. To please you is the best that can be in the world.

- True? - Defne turned in his arms and threw her arms around his neck. Rubbing her nose against his nose, she said in a hoarse whisper: "I love you to infinity."

- And I love you, - Omer answered in the same hoarse way and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

A door creaked, and Nihan's loud voice burst into the magic.

- Hey! They kiss! Later you'll kiss! We are waiting for you, by the way, for breakfast! Everyone is hungry!

Defne pulled away from her husband and looked in surprise at the terrace. The whole Topal family stood there: Serdar with Nihan and baby Iso, a tenderly smiling grandmother Turkan and radiant Esra. And behind, Omer's grandfather leaned on a cane.

- Why are you here? - Defne was surprised.

- How why? Nihan exclaimed. "Sinan and Seda invited us to the wedding. Where should we stay if not at the house of our beloved son-in-law?

Defne looked at her husband and asked:

- Did my family find out about the house before I did?

He shrugged apologetically and replied:

- It happened so.

- It turned out great! - Defne exclaimed and hobbled briskly to hug her family.

The old house came to life, filled with ringing laughter, bustling, and cheerful voices. After breakfast, the large family began to prepare for the wedding ceremony. Grandmother with Nihan scurried about with irons, curling irons, and other attributes to induce beauty. Esra put on a pink dress with a fluffy tulle skirt, spun in front of the mirror, and ran out into the street. Serdar, in a black suit and white shirt with a tie, was so exhausted to carry out his wife's commands that, picking up his son in his arms, he rushed after his sister. Behind him, almost not leaning on the cane, mister Hulusi walked briskly. Left alone, the women occupied one mirror for two and began to make themselves beautiful.

But in Iplikci's room, calm and grace reigned. Defne took her time to style her hair, Omer, admiring her, unhurriedly buttoned up his shirt and slipped cufflinks into the cuffs of the sleeves. Defne helped him to tie a bow tie, kissed him on the cheek, and also reached for her dress. Blue-green silk slipped over the body and enveloped the rounded figure well. Omer turned his wife back to him and closed the zipper with a smooth movement. After kissing the sweet-smelling neck, he took hold of the tuxedo and slipped his hands into the sleeves. Defne put a gloss on her lips, turned to her husband, and, taking a critical look at his slender figure, straightened his collar and bow tie.

- Ready? - Omer asked her and she nodded in agreement. - Then let's go. The carriages are waiting for us.

- Carriage? - Defne asked in surprise.

- Well, we need to somehow get to the hotel, - Omer smiled and joked: - There are no cars here, and your condition and our clothes are not suitable for bicycles.

- Ay, exactly! - laughing, she agreed. - And I did not even think about how we will get to the place of the ceremony. It's so good that you always think about everything in advance.

"This is my duty," Omer said, hiding a satisfied smile.

- And what is my duty? - Defne asked coquettishly.

"To be happy and love me," he answered without hesitation.

Defne laughed and pressed her head against a strong shoulder.

- What wonderful responsibilities! I never get tired of doing them.

With a wink, Omer gave her a bent arm at the elbow and led her out into the street. Near the gate stood three lacquer carriages drawn by bay horses. Omer put Esra and his wife in the first. In the second, Serdar sat down with Nihan and baby Iso, and in the third - grandmother Turkan and grandfather Hulusi. The small procession rolled towards the luxurious, whitewashed hotel in the distance. Wisteria has blossomed on both sides of the road. Its long branches intertwined, forming a picturesque tunnel. Long, lush bunches of sweet-smelling white and lilac flowers dangled from the branches. The scenery was so beautiful that it was breathtaking.

- Are we in a fairy tale? Esra asked admiringly.

"We're on an island," Defne replied laughing. - It's better here than in a fairy tale.

"When I grow up, I will come here every spring and admire the wisteria blossoms," the girl said.

- Why to wait so long? - Omer smiled at her. - We can still come here every spring.

- True? - the girl was delighted.

"True," he confirmed.

- Brother Omer, you are the best! Esra exclaimed sincerely.

- The best! - Defne supported her and smiled at her husband happily.

The final preparations were in full swing at the hotel. On the site near the sea, an arch entwined with flowers was installed. Beneath it stood a table covered with white lace tablecloth and chairs with high, carved backs. A path decorated with flowers led to it. There were rows of chairs on either side of it. On the lawn, there were round tables covered with white tablecloths with chairs around and long, tiered buffets. They were still empty. But the waiters were already preparing to fill the space with a variety of dishes, snacks, and desserts. On one of the tables, crystal glasses were displayed in even rows. Champagne was cooling in ice buckets. The hotel was expecting guests for the wedding of the year.

Iplikci and Topal climbed the wide marble staircase to the hotel. The huge hall was crowded and noisy. Having yielded to the bride in choosing a wedding venue, otherwise, Sinan remained firm and two hundred guests came to the celebration, most of whom Seda had never seen. But this did not bother her. The beautiful bride in a white silk dress with bare shoulders and lace shoes shone with a dazzling smile and basked in general admiration. Defne hugged her and whispered words of congratulations in her ear. And then she took her hand, pressed it to her stomach and, winking conspiratorially, said:

- I'm infecting you! Let it happen to you.

Laura also went up to her friends and put Seda's other hand on her still flat stomach.

- I'm infecting you! - said cheerfully and looked sideways at Sinan, dumbfounded by such rituals.

Seda laughed loudly and said:

- At this rate, we get twins at once!

- I agree! - Sinan came out of his stupor and enthusiastically supported the bride. - Let there be twins, and I will immediately bypass all these smug donkeys! - He looked down at the ironically grinning Omer, Ahtem, and Deniz.

- My Sinosh! My Sedosh! Oh, what a beautiful couple! I'm going to die from an excess of feelings! - to the groom and the bride, holding on to the chest with both hands, Koray rushed. - Oh, my heart! Nero! Nero! Have you brought my drops? - He began to look around in search of the girlfriend and part-time driver.

Neriman, stretching her lips in a smile and nodding to her many acquaintances, rather impolitely pushed her friend in the back and hissed:

- Got it, Korish! I have them! Only quieter, I beg you, quieter!

Waving his hand at her, he bumped into Seda, kissed her on both cheeks, and began to sob, wiping nonexistent tears with his index fingers.

- Oh, what a beauty you are! You are getting married! Who are you leaving us at?!

"Koray," Sinan tugged at his sleeve. - Calm down. Seda does not leave anyone.

- Ay, you know a lot! - forgetting about tears, he said, but then clapped his hands enthusiastically. - Oh, Sinosh, my lop-eared bucket! Wear a tuxedo! - He looked thoughtfully. - Of course, you did! The groom! What is the groom without a tuxedo? Ay, Allah! What I'm talking about! - Koray squeezed Sinan in a bear hug and loudly began to chatter near the long-suffering ear: - Ai, congratulations! Be happy! Give birth to many children! Lop-eared buckets!

- Koray, I beg you, shut up! Sinan groaned.

The unfortunate groom was rescued by Nisa, Kumru, and Dila. Koray saw them a little to the side and shouting: - My birds! - rushed to them. Sinan breathed a sigh of relief and gently touched his ear.

- Didn't fall off! - muttered, which caused the laughter of his friends.

A wedding planner approached the company. Smiling sweetly, she announced that the municipal employee had arrived and it was time to go to the place of the ceremony. The guests reached for the exit and began to take seats near the arch entwined with flowers. Omer and Defne walked to the table, where a man in a red robe was already standing. When everyone took their places, solemn music sounded and the bride and groom appeared on the hotel terrace. Seda held Sinan by the arm, and he walked proudly and beaming with happiness. To music and thunderous applause, the bride and groom approached the table and took their places. The sounds of music died down and the guests froze in anticipation. Taking a long look at the guests, the registrar began the ceremony. The bride and groom answered the questions and confirmed their consent. Omer and Defne witnessed their will. Finally, the registrar, having handed the bride a little red book, declared the couple husband and wife.

"You can kiss the bride," he said to Sinan.

He joyfully, having forgotten about the tradition of chastely kissing the bride on the forehead, dug into her lips. The guests roared approvingly. There were applause and laughter. Blushing Seda imperceptibly pushed the groom in the side. He pulled away and looked at her in bewilderment.

- On the forehead! She whispered.

- A-ah! - Sinan exclaimed and assumed a pious look. Gently clasping the bride's face with his palms, he kissed her forehead and quietly asked:

- And now can I kiss you again on the lips?

- Later, - Seda whispered with one lip.

He, expressing his disappointment, groaned inaudibly, but obeyed. From the outside, it seemed like a sweet conversation, and only Omer and Defne, hearing every word, heroically tried to restrain their laughter.

And then the fun began. After the first dance of the young couple, dancing the happy bride and groom could not take their eyes off each other, an incendiary melody sounded, and the guests began to dance. Defne, leaning her shoulder against the column entwined with flowers, watched the fun from the side and only stomped to the beat of the music with her foot shod in a comfortable shoe. Omer was stopped by a group of classmates. He answered questions, laughed at jokes, but looked at his wife himself. When a slow melody sounded, he said goodbye to his friends and made a decisive step towards Defne. Taking her hand, he smiled a seductive smile and pulled her to the dancers.

"Mrs. Iplikci, would you do me the honor to dance with me? - asked playfully, and Defne answered him in tone:

- With pleasure, Mr. Iplikci! And I thought you, looking at such beauties, forgot to think about your wife.

- How can you say so, Mrs. Iplikci! - Omer was offended. - My eyes are looking only at you!

- Only me? - Defne asked incredulously with a sly glint in her eyes.

- Uh-huh! - He confidently confirmed. - Only for you. And I can say - you are the most beautiful woman here.

Defne burst out laughing and objected:

- Omer, I look like a haystack!

Smiling, he put her hands on his chest, hugged her, and slowly led her into a dance. And only then he answered:

- I don't see a haystack! I see a beautiful woman, in whose belly my child is growing. I love her madly, and I just adore her tummy. And if she goes on about it, then I will be very angry.

- Very? - Laughing, Defne asked.

- Very much! - confirmed Omer.

- Persuaded me! - She agreed and added with an innocent look: - I'm not a haystack at all, but just a little hippo.

- Defne! - groaned Omer, torn between the desire to laugh and scold her.

- I am silent, I am silent! - She assured him and trustingly leaned her head against his shoulder.

Two girls were sitting in a gazebo by the sea. Bowing their heads to each other, they whispered about something and laughed loudly. Esra was very glad to see Banu and grateful to the wonderful Countess Laura for taking her sister with her to the wedding. And Banu was just happy. After all, she was again able to see the guy she had secretly dreamed of for three months. Mert, unbuttoning his jacket and thrusting his hands into his pockets, slowly walked over to the gazebo and sat down next to Esra.

- Are you bored? She asked him.

"Not much," he said casually. "But this is Mr. Sinan's wedding. It was important for me to congratulate him and Seda on this day.

- Are you ready for the exams? - asked the next question Esra. Banu was silent and only glanced furtively.

Mert shrugged and replied:

- There is another month and a half before exams. I'm getting ready.

- Have you chosen a university? - Esra looked at him inquisitively.

"Both the university and the department," Mert answered proudly.

- And what, if not a secret? - did not lag behind the curious girl.

And Mert suddenly caught himself thinking that he liked this curiosity. And he likes Esra. The serious look in her beautiful eyes made his heart beat faster in his chest.

"Programming and web design," he admitted. - Mr. Omer says that the future belongs to this profession.

"If brother Omer says that, then it is," Esra confirmed authoritatively. - He's very smart.

"And kind," added Mert. - A real man and a gentleman. He took me to work, he is going to pay for my studies if I return to work at Passionis after university. And I don't want anything else. Passionis is a great company. It's interesting and fun there. The designers are so cool. They draw, tear pictures, and draw again.

- What are they drawing? Banu said timidly.

"Shoes, of course," Mert told her. - Passionis is a shoe company. Ideas and new models come up with Mr. Omer, but the designers have enough work.

Banu was quiet. A dream began to take shape in her pretty head - to learn to be a designer and come to work at Passionis. Next to Mert. She will then already be an adult, and maybe he will notice her and pay attention. Еncouraged, Banu pointed to the two twin girls who were dancing merrily next to the pretty girl and asked Mert the following question:

- Are these your sisters?

"Yes," he smiled condescendingly but warmly. - Magpies! They stuck around Kumru and do not allow her to step!

"Lovely girls," Banu said. - Who is Kumru?

"The daughter of Mr. Kartal," answered Mert. "He is the manager of Sapphire and a friend of our family. Kumru is cool. She is also finishing school this year. But it's hard for her. She missed a lot due to her illness. I help her prepare for exams.

Banu looked at the girl with short, blond hair and her heart ached for some reason. Without understanding her desires, she painfully wanted Mert not to look or talk with other girls.

- Defne said that the Kumru operation was successful and the bone marrow engrafted. I am very happy for her. Even though I don't know her, - said Esra.

- So let me introduce you! Mert suggested enthusiastically.

Esra looked at the dancing girl and nodded:

- Good, only a little later. Let's not stop her from dancing.

- You said bone marrow transplant? - turned to Esra Banu, and there was compassion in her voice. - What happened to her?

"Leukemia," Mert replied instead of Esra.

"Poor girl." Tears flashed in Banu's eyes. - Let all bad be left behind. My mom also had leukemia. She died.

"Banu," Esra hugged her. - How sad. But you never talked about it. And your other relatives ..., dad, - the girl's voice trembled, - where are they?

"There was no occasion to tell," Banu shrugged her shoulders and shook her long, blond hair, "I don't have a dad. He did not want to marry my mother. Because of this, her parents disowned her. And from me too. After my mother's death, the board of trustees asked them to pick me up, but they said they had no granddaughter. Therefore, I also say that I do not have a father and relatives, grandparents. But now I have a real grandmother. She may not be my kin, but she loves me very much. And then there is my sister Laura and brother Ahtem. They are the best in the world. And I know that I am a very happy person.

- I was also abandoned by my dad and mom, - Esra admitted and clarified: - More precisely, all of us - me, Serdar, and Defne. But we still have a grandmother. She loves us very much. And we love her and each other. I am also a very happy person.

"Then I am also a happy person," said Mert intently looking into the distance with his piercing blue eyes. - My father is a scoundrel. And grandfather too. But I have the best mom in the world. And my sisters. And then there is Mr. Omer and Carrot Defne. They helped us. They took my mother and me to work. Pulled out of poverty. Pay for my university studies. They are incredible. I want to be like Mr. Omer. Not in terms of success. Although I want to. And to be just as courageous and generous.

"Yes, brother Omer is like that," said Esra. - When Defne was in a coma and the doctors said that it was necessary to turn off the life support apparatus ... because she had no chance of recovery ... he did not allow it. He sat next to her day and night and pulled her out of her coma.

- Wow! - said Mert with admiration. - This is a story. I started to respect him even more.