- Why did you come after so many years? - Turkan asked hoarsely with white lips. - What do you want?

The guest looked at her with an impudent squint. His lips curled in a sarcastic grin.

- Why won't you invite your son-in-law to the house? After all, I am the father of your grandchildren.

- What son-in-law? What father ?! - the woman came to her senses and angrily raised her eyebrows over the bridge of her nose. The palms curled into fists belligerently. She put them on her hips and angrily pounced on the man: - For fourteen years you have not remembered the existence of the children, and now you have appeared ?! Come on, get out of here!

Esra came running to her voice. She went out onto the porch and asked in surprise:

- Grandma, what happened? Why are you shouting?

The girl looked closely at the guest. The face looked familiar, although she was sure she had never seen him before.

- What's that noise? - Serdar came out onto the porch with Iso in his arms. Seeing the man, his face darkened and narrowing his eyes, blurted out: - You?! Why did you come?

- Who is he? - Esra tried to get an answer from her family, but both her brother and grandmother, as if they had not heard her question.

But the man, ignoring the words of his son, turned his greasy look at her and spoke in a honeyed voice:

- I am your father, child. I came to meet you. And I brought a gift, - he handed Esra the doll.

She took a step back and hid her hands behind her back.

"I don't play with dolls," she replied with restrained dignity. "And I don't want to meet you."

Slipping past her brother, she returned to the house and ran upstairs. Surprised Nihan, whom Esra ran into on the stairs, shouted after her:

- Girl! What's the matter?

But she didn't answer. She ran into her room, slammed the door, pressed her back to it, and, covering her face with her hands, burst into tears.

On the porch, Serdar took the lead. Putting the baby Iso into the hands of his grandmother, he pushed her to the door and ordered:

- Go. Set the table for dinner. I'll be there in ten minutes.

Turkan looked angrily at her former son-in-law. With her head held high, she passed by and disappeared through the door. Serdar pointed the direction to the waterfront and said briefly:

- Come on, let's talk.

Near the embankment, stopping at the very edge of the dark water, he thrust his hands into his trouser pockets and turned to his father.

- What do you want? Asked abruptly.

He shrugged in surprise.

- How is that? I haven't seen the children for years. I missed ...

- Give it up! - interrupted Serdar. "Don't give me that shit. You missed us after fourteen years. In general, so, - the guy firmly looked his father in the face. - I don't care about your reasons. Get out of here and don't dare approach our house. You have no children. And grandchildren too. If again you dare to show up, I'll throw you out. Got it, Mr. Kadir?

The man laughed in the face of his son and clapped his hands demonstratively.

- Bravo, Serdar Shishmaz! Impressive performance.

- Serdar Topal, - the guy corrected him. - We are all Topal. And we have nothing to do with Shishmaz.

He turned and walked down the street leading to the house.

"Well, well," Kadir said mockingly behind him. When his son disappeared around the corner, he quietly added. "We'll see if you have or don't have," he grinned. - And the girl is no longer a child. Yes, I made a mistake with the gift.

He looked at the doll in his hands and, swinging, threw it into the strait.

***

The sunset gave way to inky darkness, and Omer and Defne still sat on the porch and silently enjoyed the warm evening and the closeness of each other. A quiet snorting sound came from the baby monitor. For the parents, it was the best music in the world. When the sky shone with myriads of stars, and the full moon drew a silvery strip across the sea, Omer kissed his wife on the cheek and asked:

- Wait a couple of minutes. I'll be right back.

He disappeared into the house, and Defne with a smile thought that another surprise awaited her. There were so many of them in nine months of family life. But she still did not get used to it and perceived each new one as a miracle. She rejoiced like a child and thanked the Almighty for her happy life and Omer.

Omer, jumping over two steps, flew up. Silently opened the bedroom door and tiptoed into the room. Emine slept in her stroller. The puppy was curled up on the floor next to it. It raised its head, but when it saw who had entered, returned it to its paws and closed its eyes. Omer took a velvet case from his bag and took out a necklace. Returning the case to its place, he went up to his daughter, straightened the coverlet, and touched her nose - whether it was warm. The nose was warm, the fingers too, and the satisfied dad quietly went out the door. Running down the stairs, he went out into the cool June night. Defne stood near the terrace fence and looked up at the sky. Her slender figure in the moonlight looked like a graceful antique figurine. Omer quietly approached her, kissed her shoulder, and said:

- Starlight Night?

- Starry ..., - Defne whispered.

Omer gathered her hair and pulled it up.

- Hold it, - asked.

Defne obediently raised her hands and held the heavy, silky mass with her palms. Omer wrapped the necklace around her neck and fastened it. Defne felt the cool metal touch her skin and touched the smooth stones with her fingers.

"These sapphires must see for themselves what made them so magnificent," Omer whispered in his ear. - Am I right? This necklace is a memory of that night, here on the island, when we loved each other under the stars.

Defne turned in his arms, hugged his shoulders, and said hoarsely:

- Yes. And it seems to me that it was then that we created Emine...

Omer looked into her huge, shining eyes and saw the stars in them. The heart did not fit in the chest and hit the ribs with force. At that moment, he loved his wife so much that he was breathless from an excess of feelings.

"Do you remember what I promised you that night?

Her lips trembled as she smiled and nodded. Omer picked her up in his arms and whirled around the terrace. Defne threw back her head and laughed. Her laughter, sonorous and clear, floated in the air and sounded like wonderful music for Omer. Stopping, he put his wife on her feet and kissed her. She responded with all the tenderness she could. And he thought that this month would be a test for his body. But he will not give up hugs and kisses. He will revel in them, enjoy every moment, and love.

***

Topal family were sitting at the round table. Grandmother Turkan, Serdar, Nihan, Esra. Baby Iso slept in his crib for a long time, and the adults talked. The unexpected appearance of Kadir Shishmaz stunned everyone and knocked them out of their usual track. Esra, who had never seen her father, sometimes dreamed of him before. That he would come, tall, strong, and kind. Will talk to her, joke, and call her Princess. But this man, who appeared at their doorstep today with a stupid doll in his hands, caused her rejection and fear. She didn't want to talk to him or joke. She didn't even want to see him.

Serdar felt depressed. He has long come to terms with the fact that the three of them were not needed by their parents. Both scattered in different directions and for years did not remember that they had children. They were not interested in how they live, what they eat, what they drink. Do they have clothes and a roof over their heads? How to get out of problems. And anyway, are they alive. Therefore, the appearance of their father today was intimidating and frightening. What does he need now from adult children?

Nihan watched her gloomy husband anxiously and grew cold with misgivings. Oh, the father-in-law came to their doorstep for a reason!

And grandmother Turkan was mentally going through the dark days again when her son-in-law abandoned his pregnant wife the two children.

- What do we do? Shall we tell Defne? Nihan said.

Serdar and grandmother roused themselves and protested in one voice:

- Not!

- Don't disturb and upset her. She just gave birth. Let her be calm and happy.

"Okay," Nihan agreed with a sigh. - So, we are silent.

***

Iz Tranba straightened her hair with a nervous gesture and got up from the table. Today was the tenth day after the test of amniotic fluid. Exhausted to the limit, the expectant mother waited with bated breath for the results. Every time the phone rang, she looked at the screen hopefully, and then sighed in frustration and closed her eyes. Not the doctor.

The air in the office was saturated with such anxiety that it could hardly get into the lungs. Even the air conditioner did not help the situation. Iz went to the window and flung it open. The heat of the street smelled in her face. Turning around, she grabbed the phone from the table and ran out of the office.

Deniz tried to work. He read the columns of the figures of the financial statement and did not see them. One thought was throbbing in his head - when? When the doctor will call and end his two-week agony.

Iz entered the office. He scrambled to his feet and rushed to meet her.

- Did you call ?! - asked.

She shook her head. There was so much despair in this gesture that Deniz felt a pinch in his chest. He hugged his wife and pressed her head to his shoulder. They stood there for a minute. The phone call made both of them stir up. She grabbed the phone and suddenly breathed out in a hoarse voice:

- The doctor.

She answered the call and held the phone to her ear.

- I'm listening.

Deniz looked anxiously at her face, trying to understand what the doctor was saying now.

Favorite eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled. The man's heart sank like a stone.

- What? He whispered with his lips only.

She removed the phone from her ear and looked at her husband. Tears rolled from her eyes like rain. Ignoring them, she smiled a happy smile and whispered:

- Baby is healthy ...

Deniz exhaled and closed his eyes for a moment. Healthy! Allah! Healthy !!! The next moment, he grabbed Iz under the knees and whirled around the office with her.

- Healthy !!! He shouted, and his wife echoed him in a sonorous and happy voice:

- Healthy !!!

When he put her on the floor and hugged her, she put her palms on his chest, looked touchingly into his eyes, and said:

- He is healthy and he is a boy. We will have a son.

The fire that burned in Deniz's eyes could have lit a match. His glee and happiness were palpable. They emanated from him in waves and infected Iz with recklessness and courage. She smiled broadly at her husband. Two weeks of fear, anxiety, pain, and anguish are over. Their child is healthy! He will be born and will live a happy, fulfilling life. Will roller-skate, be naughty, practice boxing, or jiu-jitsu. He will fall in love and annoy his parents. Will pave his way in life. Iz and Deniz Tranba now, like no one else, understood what happiness is and how much grace they were given by fate and the Almighty!

Deniz grabbed his wife's hand and pulled her out of the office.

- Where are we going? - Barely keeping up with him, she asked.

- To celebrate! He replied. Stopping in front of the door, he put his arms around her face and said hoarsely: "We deserve it."

***

Banu crossed the threshold of Sapphire. Her heart was pounding and her breath caught in her throat. Fingers gripped the plastic folder with drawings tightly. Today was a special day for her. She will receive a drawing lesson from the most ingenious designer Omer Iplikci. And she will see Mert. From this thought, the pulse beat, and the soul froze sweetly. Laura, who was walking beside her, looked at the girl with a smile. She loved her so much. Like the little sister she never had. And now Banu's joy warmed her.

- Banu! Such a surprise!

Esra, who was sorting letters at the secretary's desk, saw her friend and hurried to meet her. They embraced, childishly sincerely expressing their joy at the meeting.

"Mr. Omer promised to give me design lessons," Banu boasted, but smiled sweetly and a little embarrassedly.

- Great! - Esra was delighted for her friend. - Brother Omer taught Defne design too. Look what it turned out to be. "She gestured to the walls, hung with photographs of Defne's jewelry and copies of pencil sketches.

Banu followed her hand with interest and gasped in admiration.

- Allah, how beautiful! - she looked at Laura. - It was Ahtem who made all these jewels according to Defne's sketches?

She nodded and proudly confirmed:

- Yes, Ahtem. He and Defne have a wonderful creative tandem.

- Can I ask Defne to give me a couple of lessons on how to draw jewelry? - Banu asked timidly and smiled shyly, looking from one sketch to another. - So beautiful! Although, if she is very busy, then there is no need to require, - the girl remembered that Defne had recently had a child and her days were scheduled by the minute. - I can do it. I've had enough of Mr. Omer's lessons.

- Come on, we'll first ask Defne herself, - Laura suggested and turned to both girls: - Darling, I'm sure you have something to chat about for about forty minutes. Esra, show everything here to Banu and introduce her to the staff, - she smiled at the girls: - I will deal with urgent matters, and then we will go to Passionis. Mr. Omer is expecting us at ten o'clock.

Laura left. Banu and Esra looked at each other and smiled cheerfully.

- Sapphire, hello! - heard a clear voice, from which Banu's heart fell like a stone, and then jumped to her throat and started to beat often. She was so excited that she did not notice the blush that suddenly colored Esra's dark cheeks. Mert entered the office and loudly asked all the employees at once: - How are we doing? Anything missing? Files don't disappear? Do the programs work like clockwork?

Employees began to look out from their offices and cheerfully report that everything is in order. After listening, he turned to the girls and greeted:

- Hello! Banu, good to see you! Are you visiting us?

The girl's eyes shone. She took a breath and replied:

- And visit too. I wanted to see Sapphire and Passionis. "And you," she added mentally. - And also Mr. Omer promised to give me some design lessons.

- Cool! Lucky you. Mister Omer is the god of design, - Mert answered Banu but looked at Esra. She was so beautiful today in a bright yellow dress and a colored headband on her blue-black hair. Realizing that it was indecent to stare at the girl for no reason, he asked the first thing that came to mind: - Esra, are you replacing Alina today?

"Uh-huh," she said. - Until next Monday. Alina went on vacation.

- Right. If you have problems with the laptop, call me, "said Mert with seeming frivolity.

"Definitely," Esra answered in tune.

- If everything is in order, then have a nice day! And I'm in Passionis, - Mert waved his hand and headed for the elevator.

- Good luck! - Esra wished after him.

- Good luck! Banu echoed.

Fifteen minutes later, Defne appeared in Sapphire with baby Emine Diana in her arms. Koray followed her on the heels and muttered:

- Skinny, why call a nanny? I'm completely free now. Diana and I will have fun. Why would she need a stranger if she had Korish?

Defne stopped, closing her eyes, exhaled noisily, and turned to her friend. Putting her daughter into his arms, she declared:

- Here you go! But if Omer swears that you didn't do the right job because of Emine, it's not my fault. You will fight back.

- I will! I will! - He promised enthusiastically and cooed with the baby: - ​​My beauty! You and I will be photographed. Uncle Korish will make you a cool photoshoot!

- Koray, only don't get carried away, - Defne demanded sternly. - Emine has a regime. An hour later, she needs to be fed and put to bed. When she starts to cry, bring her I'll feed her. Take the bag with diapers, wet wipes, and a bottle of water in it.

- Ay, take it away! Keep it. I have everything. Exactly in an hour, I'll bring her for feeding. Now, goodbye! We have a photo session!

The large man with a tiny girl in his arms disappeared outside the office door. Defne looked after him, shook her head, and turned. Only now did she notice two girls who were looking at her with wide eyes.

- Esra! She smiled affectionately at her sister. - Are you on a serious job today? Banu! I'm so glad to see you!

She hugged both of them, and the girls happily hugged her back.

"On Friday, I worked all day myself under the supervision of Alina and didn't make a single mistake," Esra boasted. - Mr. Kartal said that I can replace her all week.

- I'm proud of you! - Defne sincerely praised her and turned to Banu: - Do you have your first lesson today with Mr. Omer? Banu nodded and took a deep breath, trying to cope with the excitement this way. Defne reassured her: - Don't worry! Omer is strict but fair. He's also a great teacher. I know from myself, - she again looked closely at her sister and asked: - Esra, is everything all right? You look thoughtful. Did something happen at home?

Esra hated lies. Even more, she hated lying to Defnе. But her grandmother said yesterday that if Defne finds out about their father's return, she will be very upset. And she does not need excitement and negative emotions. She is a nursing mother. Hence, we must be silent.

"It seemed to you," the girl put on a wide smile. - Things are good. Iso tries to walk. But it turns out so far not very well. Fells on the ass.

- Ay, aunty lollipop, - tenderly smiled Defne. - Trying to walk. You will soon be catching him all over the house. Okay, girls! I was very glad to see you, but I have to go. I have a lot of work.

She waved her hands to the girls and went to her room. When the door of her office slammed shut, Banu, who had been closely watching her friend all the time, spoke up:

- Esra, you deceived Defne, right? Did something happen to you?

Esra sank into a chair. Her shoulders drooped and her eyes became sad.

"It happened," she whispered. - My father is back.

- Is it bad? Banu asked her carefully.

- Bad! - answered Esra. - He left our mother before I was born. Never saw me, and did not want to know. And now he showed up with a doll. Can you imagine ?! With a doll! And he says he came to meet me. Only I do not want to see or know him. He's a stranger. Do you understand? Stranger!!!

"I see," Banu replied quietly. - I also sometimes think about my father. And I also realize that he is a stranger. Even if his blood flows in me, he is still a stranger.

The girls looked into each other's eyes and hugged silently. The feeling of kinship arose instantly and was very strong. Two abandoned children, two souls filled with bitterness, they understood each other like no one else.

The working day in the two companies passed briskly and hectic. Koray, as promised, arranged for Emine Diana her first photo session. Clicking the camera lens, he spoke incessantly.