Kessa spoke softly, “I beg to differ.”
Kol fluttered a smile, kissing the top of her hand. “Your mother died on this day. I was beyond terrified of the thoughts of raising you on my own. God put Rajaf and Abraham in my life to teach me how to be (I pray) a good father.” He swallowed hard, “I’m getting better. This day doesn’t consume me like it used to.”
“I never knew.” Frego uttered. “You have always done something festive, memberable, to mark today.”
“And you wouldn’t have known now had it not been for loose lips. These were my burdens to carry. Not yours.”
“Ours,” Kessa volunteered. “Mine and yours. What burdens your heart, burdens mine and we give it to God.” Kol wanted to cry. Kessa never stopped surprising him. Never stopped loving and supporting him. “I do have you a present that is more than flowers if you will allow me to give it to you now.”
Kol smiled a sad smile, “lead on.”
She led them to the library. Leaning up against his desk was a beautifully wrapped gift. “I was going to way till after dinner.”
He looked stunned. “It’s too pretty to open.” She smiled blushing. Frego held Violet as they watched Kol open his present with trembling hands. It was the picture she drew when he fell asleep in the stable.
His voice cracked when he spoke, “you painted it? Painted and framed.”
She blushed with a downcast gaze. “I know it’s to intimate to hang in the hall with the rest of the royal portraits.”
He held his arms open for her. She glided into place by his side and he laid his head on her shoulder. “That was a good day.”
“My sleeping king.” She remarked playfully.
“You know I thought it was amazing when it was just a drawing. I don’t know what to say.”
She held his face in her hands. “Don’t get upset that I did it and shared it.”
He looked at Frego and Violet they were holding each other. Violet was crying and Frego was grinning. Kol hugged Kessa with all the strength he could without hurting her. “Thank you.”
Kessa entered their chamber. She had spent all day at the barracks going over new recruits, accounts, and listening to Marcus talk about retirement. Kol picked her up and spun her around. “I have a surprise for you.” He laughed. “Finally, I have a surprise for you.”
“Lead on.” She smiled.
He led her to the public section of the library. It was currently closed so they were alone. To the art section where there was paintings and sculptures from Mecca’s past and some things from the present. Hanging on the wall, amid the modern art was her portrait of ‘The Sleeping King’. That was what the plaque on the wall read: ‘The Sleeping King’, along with her name and the date.
She didn’t know what to say. Finally she squeezed out, “you liked it enough to share it with everyone?” When she turned to face him: Frego, Max, Lilly, Violet, Rajaf, Beth, Petro, Marcus, Abraham and Elizabeth were in the room. In unison they all shouted, “Surprise!”
She couldn’t control her tears. When Kol hugged her up, she was shaking. “I love you.” He smiled.
“And I you.” She caressed his face.
Max and Marcus gave a war whoop. “Do you know how hard it was to keep you in the barracks all day?” Max laughed.
“Any other day, you would have been willing to spend the day with us. But not today. You were chomping at the bit to git.” Marcus laughed.
She wiped at her tears. “Thank you all. This is amazing.”
Kol kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you.”
Poetry & More 