The seventy-two hours of Iz Tranba's bed rest ended Monday morning. They were difficult, painful, and happy for her at the same time. She was dying of fear for her child. Couldn't cope with heavy thoughts. Her back ached from constant lying. She couldn't relax from anxiety. She couldn't eat or sleep. But Deniz was next to her. He did not leave her a step. He carried her to the toilet and bathroom. He dressed her like a child. Spoon-fed, persuading her to eat at least a little.

"The kid needs nutrients and strength," he said and she agreed.

Heroically she stuffed delicacies prepared by the housekeeper into herself. She chewed and swallowed without feeling the taste. Because she understood that there were no resources in her body. Weeks of toxicosis have eaten them. The food she eats is the only source of food for the baby. So she has to eat. All the most useful. Caviar, cod liver, meat, and fish, avocado, fruits. Everything that will help her baby to become stronger. And she ate although she had no appetite.

They also talked a lot with Deniz. They told each other about their fears and doubts, about childhood, about losses and gifts of fate. About what was hidden deep in the heart and was never told to anyone. These three days did not make their love stronger. Not. They gave much more. Feeling of kinship. That feeling when you understand that his soul is your soul, and no matter what happens, they will go through all the obstacles together.

When Sinan called on Saturday morning and said that Defne had given birth to a healthy and beautiful baby girl, Iz burst into tears. She was incredibly happy for Omer and Defne, and she wanted her child to be healthy, too.

On Monday, two hours after the bed rest was lifted, she and Deniz entered Iplikci's room. And again there were tears and incoherent words. The girls hugged each other and burst into tears. And the men were hovering around and did not know what to do with these tears. Emine Diana saved the situation. She woke up and gave a little cry, demanding the undivided attention of her parents.

Iz went to the crib. Looking at the baby with a piercingly tender look, she held out her arms to her, but immediately froze and asked Defne uncertainly:

- May I?

She nodded. Iz took Emine in her arms. Closing her eyes, she brought her face closer to her and inhaled deeply the baby scent. Deniz's eyes stung. Defne put her hand on his shoulder and said encouragingly:

- Very soon Iz will take your child in her arms. Beautiful, sweet, and perfectly healthy.

"We pray for it," Deniz answered hoarsely.

He took out of his pocket gold coins bound with a red ribbon. Hanging an impromptu necklace next to opals and the pearl pendant on the headboard, he stroked the baby head on his wife's arm and turned to Emine:

- Beauty, you will be an enviable bride with a large dowry. Daddy will have a hard time when you grow up.

He glanced at Omer derisively. He just sighed heavily, and Defne nonchalantly replied:

- Ay, when will it be! We have at least twenty years.

"You may have twenty," Deniz said slowly and looked skeptically at Omer. "But your husband has no more than sixteen.

Everyone laughed. And Defne. And Omer. And even Iz. Pain lurked in the depths of her eyes, but the laughter was ringing and sincere. Deniz looked at her, and his heart sank with bitter happiness. How he loved the laughter of his Iz. And how he missed it. Only now did he realize that all this time he was afraid of never hearing it again.

At eleven, the doctor came to the room. She said that the documents were ready and Iplikci could go home. Omer and Defne were just waiting for the signal. The things were collected, Emine Diana was dressed in a white suit and a hat. The opals, pearls, and gold coins were hidden in Defne's purse. She got dressed, changing her hospital gown for a stylish, shirt-cut dress with a closure on the chest.

Sukru waited near the Mercedes and looked at the front door of the hospital, which was crowded with Topal family, Mr.Hulusi and Neriman. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the appearance of Emine Diana Iplikci and her parents.

But then Sukru's phone rang. He raised it to his ear and answered excitedly:

- Yes, Mr. Omer! I'm running!

He walked quickly to the door and disappeared behind it. A couple of minutes later he came out with a voluminous bag in his hands and held the door. Defne was the first to appear on the street. She was dressed in a terracotta-colored linen dress that matched her hair and snow-white skin. A smile shone on her sweet face, and her amber eyes sparkled with happiness. After her, proud Omer came out with a lace bundle in his hands. Relatives surrounded the family with a noisy ring and emotionally began to congratulate the parents. The most impatient looked into the bundle and commented on who little Emine Diana looks like.

- On Defne! Nihan stated authoritatively. - Red-haired and white skin!

- Ay, where are your eyes looking? - Neriman was indignant. - Hair may be Defne's but look at the eyes-olives and the lips like a bow. The face is the spitting image of Omer! He was exactly like that when he was born. Isn't it, Daddy Hulusi? - Modestly she turned to her father-in-law. The latter nodded in the affirmative and looked sideways at grandmother Topal - did not his answer offend the precious lady Turkan? But she bloomed happily. The great-granddaughter is like both mom and dad. Could anything be better?

Neriman was finally able to see the baby up close, and now she was intent, with tenderness and love, examining her frowning face. Omer noticed this look and something trembled in his chest. He exchanged glances with Defne and she gave him a knowing smile.

- People, can we go home? Zehra has prepared a festive dinner and is waiting for us, - Omer turned to his relatives and they hummed approvingly in response. "Aunt," he spoke to Neriman. "This also applies to you. You are also going to celebrate with us," - Omer looked around and asked: - Where is Koray?

- I am here! - Koray rushed along the side park alley to the hospital at full steam. On his chest was a pink kangaroo backpack for babies with sky blue straps. In front of him, he rolled a stroller the same color as the backpack, with sky blue edging. Running up to the company, he stopped. Taking his breath noisily, he mumbled: - Phew! I thought I wouldn't have time! The shop assistants are such slow fools! So stupid! Phew!!! I say - I need the color "French rose"! I speak Turkish, right? And they shove me amaranth! So stupid! Where on Diana amaranth? It will drown out the incomparable color of her face! - Omer looked dumbfounded at this very face, which suits the color "French rose" and does not suit amaranth at all. The face was already beginning to twist in displeasure.

- Koray, load your purchases into the trunk, and let's go to our house, - he ordered his friend. He unquestioningly rushed along with the stroller to the parking lot. The company followed him. Near the cars, when everyone began to sit down in their seats, and Koray, cursing, thrust the stroller into the trunk, Defne asked him:

- Why did you buy it? Emine already has a stroller.

- Ay! I know you," he replied indignantly. - I suppose you bought something darker? And they didn't even think to match the color to the face! And how will Diana ride in your stroller? Everyone will look and say that the child is pale. And when I put her in my stroller, everyone will admire and say: Oh, what a beautiful girl! What amazing cheeks she has! - Omer and Defne looked at each other, and daddy hugged his daughter closer to him. Koray paid no attention to these looks. Slamming the trunk, he shouted at Iplikci: - Well, why are you standing there? Get in the car quickly! Lunch is getting cold!

On the wide terrace of the Iplikci house, there was a long table set for dinner. And around it were wooden chairs. Zehra was waiting for the hosts. The kitchen smelled of dolma, pilaf, burek, and baked mutton. In large salad bowls, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce were soaked in the dressing. Olives glittered with lacquered sides on flat plates. Everything was ready for the festive dinner.

Upon entering the house, Koray almost fainted from the delicious smells. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

- Allah, how delicious it smells! He shouted. - Ay, don't torture me! Let's eat already!

"First we need to feed Emine Diana," Omer stopped him.

Koray froze with a helpless expression. A big contradiction sounded like a deafening siren in his head. Love for delicious food clashed with the adoration for Princess Diana. This had never happened to him before. Food was the most important thing in his life. Nothing and no one could compete with it. But now a tiny red-haired girl with olive eyes confidently bypassed his precious stomach. Although he was hungry. Moreover, these mind-blowing smells, from which the mouth filled with saliva. But little, defenseless Diana is hungry too!

All conflicting thoughts, as on a screen, were reflected on his round face. Defne, watching him, felt sorry for the unfortunate Koray. She took her daughter from Omer's arms and smiled at the starving friend.

- Koray, don't be upset. Feeding Emine won't take long. We can handle it before Zehra and Nihan can lay the table with dishes.

- Ay! - shouted at her not so grateful Koray. - She chatters! Quickly upstairs and feed Diana! You will starve the child! And I will equip the stroller! - He turned his eyes and clapped his hands enthusiastically. - Oh, how well I came up with it! Sister Zehra!!! He called loudly and headed for the kitchen. - Sister Zehra!!! Find me soft pink silk to put in the stroller! Diana in a white suit on soft pink silk in a French rose stroller will be amazing!

The Topal family, staring at the crazy Koray with their mouths open, gave him a dumbfounded look. Mr. Hulusi frowned. And only Neriman, completely not embarrassed by the behavior of her dear Korish, followed after him, saying:

- My life! How well you thought up! But I doubt if there is soft pink silk in the house.

Omer and Defne exchanged glances and rolled their eyes.

Emine and Mom did it quickly. The baby, full, fell asleep at the breast. Defne looked at the crib. She could put Emine there and turn on the baby monitor, but everything inside protested against such a decision. Defne looked down at her daughter and smiled tenderly.

- You'll sleep in the fresh air, my soul. And I will order everyone to speak quietly. Although the noise doesn't affect you yet.

Buttoning her dress on her chest, and more comfortably arranging the baby in her arms, Defne stood up, and then her gaze caught an engraved wooden board above the bed. Something was wrong with it. Defne looked closely. A wide smile blossomed on her lips.

- Emine Diana, - she read and turned to her sweetly sniffling daughter: - Bead, your dad has a space speed.

- Yes? - She heard a velvet voice.

"And it's a bad habit of sneaking around," Defne added good-naturedly reproachfully.

Omer entered the room and, going up to his wife and daughter, hugged both of them.

- You are so cute and sweet together, - whispered in Defne's ear. - I enjoyed your communication and did not want to interfere.

- What are you saying? - Defne also answered in a whisper. "You can't stop us. But you can add joy if you are with us.

Omer kissed her temple and said:

- The table is full of dishes. Everyone is just waiting for us. Let's go?

- Let's go, - Defne agreed and added cheerfully: - Otherwise Koray will faint in hunger.

The table on the terrace was full of trays, plates, and salad bowls filled with aromatic and mouth-watering dishes. The guests, sitting around, patiently waited for the hosts. A bed was made for Emine Diana in the stroller. True, not soft pink, but blue, and not silk, but cotton, but Koray resigned himself. Although he added the twentieth item to the long list on the phone: a baby silk coverlet of soft pink color.

The baby was put in the stroller. Omer put it next to his chair, checked if the wind was not blowing on his daughter and the sun was not shining on her face, and only then sat down in his place.

"Well, glory is to Allah," Koray said in a loud whisper. - We can eat! People, let's eat!

Knives and forks rang together on the faience of the plates. The hungry company paid tribute to Zehra's dishes. Grandmother Turkan vigilantly watched what Defne was putting on her plate. Seeing that she reached for a piece of cucumber, uncompromisingly declared:

- You can't! You are a nursing mother. Baby's stomach will hurt.

Defne sighed and aimed her fork at a tomato slice.

- You can't! - Again rejected her stern voice. - Red tomato. Emine may develop an allergy.

- And what can I eat? Defne asked cautiously.

Grandma pointed to a dish of pilaf.

- Eat rice! And a lamb. You can try burek. It's with cheese. And sarma.

"Thanks for that too," Defne muttered and put a roll of sarma for herself.

"Defne," Esra called her sister loudly. - Can I go to work in Sapphire tomorrow?

Defne smiled affectionately at her and nodded affirmatively.

- Hurrah! - The girl was delighted. - Soon to come morning!

"But you'll have a lot of work," her sister warned. - And you can't completely avoid the role of nanny. You have to look after Emine sometimes.

- I'll babysit! - Esra promised with enthusiasm and added almost reverently: - She's a girl.

Nihan glanced at her disapprovingly and outraged:

- Hey, what is this gender discrimination?! So you don't want to babysit Iso because he's a boy?

"Uh-huh," Esra agreed honestly. - I love little girls. They are beautiful.

Nihan gasped in indignation and blurted out:

- And the boys, then, no?

"My soul, calm down," Serdar spoke conciliatory. - Esra is joking. It's true? He raised an eyebrow at his sister.

She nodded in agreement and replied:

- True! She glanced at her niece, sleeping in the stroller. - But the girls are still prettier!

After dinner, grandmother Turkan ordered everyone to go home.

- Defne and Emine have just returned home. They need to rest. And to feel their small family of three. And we all only interfere and distract them from the main thing.

Nobody began to argue. The guests left. Zehra, having cleared the table and washed the dishes, also went home. Only Omer, Defne, and their precious Bead remained behind the closed door of the big house. The parents did not take their eyes off her. As soon as she whimpered, Mom or Dad grabbed her in their arms. And Emine Diana just needed that. Warm, confident hands, which are safe and not scary at all.

Toward evening, the doorbell rang. Defne was just changing her daughter's diaper.

- Who could it be? - She was surprised and looked inquiringly at Omer.

He kissed her on the cheek, and Emine - on the pink heel, and went to open it. He knew perfectly well who was outside the door now, but he wanted its appearance to be a surprise for Defne.

Defne dressed her daughter, took her in her arms, and, singing, sat down in a chair. The door opened quite inaudibly. There were a soft stomp and a soft whine. Defne fell silent and looked at the floor. A shaggy and fat St. Bernard puppy was sitting on the carpet. Its dark red ears hung on either side of his pretty face, his black button-nose quivered, sniffing at new smells, and his eyes looked sullenly sad and calm.

- Kid, - Defne held out her hand to him. - You're scared? Do not be afraid! We will not offend you.

It rested his broad, shaggy paws on Defne's leg, sniffed her fingers, and licked them. Defne laughed and turned to her daughter:

- Emine, look! You have a friend. Dad gave you a puppy.

Holding her in her palms, she brought the baby to the puppy. Defne thought it was holding its breath. Or maybe it did, as the noisy puffing died down. Emine also froze, listening. Even her eyebrows, which were in constant motion, frowning, then lifting and rounding her eyes now stopped in their rightful place. Exactly above the black olive eyes. And then the puppy stretched its muzzle and gently licked the pink cheek. Emine grimaced and sneezed.

Defne laughed again. Her laugh was joined by another, low and velvety. Omer, leaning his shoulder on the door jamb and folding his arms on his chest, stood in the doorway and looked at the cute trio with a shining, warm look. Defne raised her eyes to him and simply, without further ado, said:

- Thank you!

He pushed off the jamb, walked over, and sat down next to her. Patting the puppy behind the ear, he kissed Emine's head and winked at Defne:

- We now have two kids.

"And that's fine," she replied in tune. - I've always dreamed of a dog.

- I heard your dreams, - he looked into her eyes, and Defne's heart skipped a beat.

"As always," she replied and kissed his smiling lips.

- What will we call it? - asked Omer, when his wife, having comfortably arranged Emine Diana on the bend of her elbow, again began stroking the soft, thick coat of the puppy.

"Kid," she said confidently.

- Kid? - Omer was surprised. - Darling, this is a St. Bernard. It will grow big as a calf.

- So what, - Defne dismissed. - Look at it. It is a toddler and will remain a toddler. Even when it grows as big as a calf.

Omer, agreeing, sighed and looked into the shiny button eyes that looked at him with sad devotion. Scratching its thick neck, he said:

- Well, brother. You are now named. The girls named you Kid.

The puppy barked as if confirming that it understood the words and agreed with them.

Esra appeared in Sapphire on Tuesday morning. She tried to appear serious and calm, but the sparkle in her dark brown eyes betrayed the excitement that reigned in her soul. First workday! She was preparing for it so much. Studied a bunch of books about office work. She studied computer programs Word and Excel. And this morning she tried on a lot of dresses. But they were all wrong. One was too simple, another was too smart, third was too colorful. As a result, she settled on a white sleeveless blouse and a dark blue flared skirt. And so that the outfit was not so dull, she tied a colored scarf around her neck. It worked out well. Probably. She hoped. But Mert, whom the girl ran into near the elevator, did not say a word about her appearance. Only for some reason he blushed and looked away.

- Are you starting to work? - He asked.

"Yes," Esra said as she entered the elevator. Mert followed in and pressed the floors of Sapphire and Passionis in turn. The girl looked sideways at him and asked: - And you? Defne said that you are no longer a courier, but a system administrator.

"She spoke the truth," Mert confirmed. - Today is my first day at work.

- Are you worried?

He shrugged vaguely.

- Not so much, maybe a little. Everything happened so quickly and I have only computer courses behind me. There is still a lot to learn.

"You can handle it," Esra said confidently and looked into his face.