After the twins had calmed down, we sat listening to Giovanni who had gladly taken the stage. "So yesterday after Alex and I got the phones, I called Nora here who was looking for an escape from the palace prison."

"You were in prison?" I turned towards Nora.

"No cuz, I'm being dramatic!" Said Giovanni.

"But the place feels like a prison anyway so you are not far off. Mario is the very definition of a dictator. His new secretary, Gina, is even worse!" She said making a face. "Strutting around the place, barking orders. I don't get why the Queen still hasn't done anything."

"Wait, have you seen her? My mum I mean."

"Nope, not since you left." Orders come from her office but no one has laid eyes on her." Her words weighed heavily on me as I immediately imagined the worst.

"Hey," said Joe, squeezing my hand, "we will get her out." I managed a weak smile but the horrible feeling didn't ease up.
I cleared the forming lump in my throat. "So, how are you guys here? How is Halima's family here as well?"

"Yeah, so apparently Fatima was already on her way here. She has been looking for Halima since Freya was born. Finding no answers, she decided to come herself. Nora organized for their flight and so when she finally managed to sneak out of the palace, she called me and we met at the registrar's office. After getting the marriage documents, she helped with some shopping then we went to the airport where we waited for Halima's family." Said Giovanni.

"Last but not least, when I called home yesterday, I gave my sister clear instructions which she refused to follow." He said piercing her with an antarctic glare.

"Gio," Anna warned.

"To ho dato semplici istruzioni!" (I gave you simple instructions!) He murmured between clenched teeth.

"Fossi nei guai, sono venuta ad aiutare!"  (You were in trouble, I came to help!" Anna said, matching her brothers tone.

"Fermatevi!" (Stop!) My voice easily overshadowed their mumbling one's. "Would you two can down! Anna, are your parents safe?"

"Yes, I did just like my un greatfull brother asked.
I sent them to a bunker, in-state, then came here to help whichever way I can."

"I appreciate that cuz."

Freya chose that moment to let out a deafening wail. Khalid was quick to respond, he picked her from her crib and making a face, he turned to his sister. "She needs a change." He said.

"Oh, yeah and a bath too. Time is far gone and our  flower girl needs to get ready. In fact, we all do." Said Halima.

"Before that," Ryan said taking the stage. "Guys we are so happy you joined us. In fact today couldn't have been better." He turned to Joe and flashed him a knowing smile. "A lot has happened in the last couple of days. But today is a good day. Its a day to celebrate love, our future queen here is eager to turn my friend Joe into a husband. So we were getting ready for a wedding but I am hoping to make that, two weddings." He moved closer to Halima and went down on one knee. "Babe, this is long overdue but with everything that has been happening, there was never a right time. In fact now I'm realizing there will never be a right  time. As long as those two are our best friends, we will always have adventure in our lives." He shot Joe and I a mischievous glance before continuing, "what I'm trying to say is, marry me. Today!" 

Halima's glassy eyes followed him as he reached for a bag from the pile they had brought from the city. He pulled out a velvet box and after snapping it open, revealed a pair of two golden wedding bands. "I had them made a while back and so when we went to pick Joe and Niq's, ours were ready too. Your whole family is here. Freya was the reason we waited this long but she's here too. What do you say? Be my wife, officially."

Pin drop silence reigned in the room as we awaited her reply. She cleared her throat, "I want to marry you, I really do but won't we be crushing Niq's and Joe's wedding?" She looked at the pair of us.

"No honey, he already asked and we would be honoured to share this day with you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely!" Said Joe.

Halima turned her gaze to Ryan who was still on his knees, "in that case, I would love to marry you today!" She returned his enchanting smile.

"Awesome, let's get this party started, by the way, now that I'm ordained, do I need a bishop's robe?" Asked Gio scrutinizing his plain jeans outfit.

********

I looked on as Halima slipped into her white gown. The silk and lace fit her form perfectly. She turned to face me, letting Nora pull on  the corset strings. "You look amazing," I said.

"Thank you. You do too Niq."

I turned to face the mirror admiring myself one more time. "Nora has wonderful taste. I am blown away by how perfectly the dresses fit."

"Well, given that they bought almost the entire store, some were bound to fit." Halima chuckled.

"They are amazing choices though."

"That I agree with. Good Job Nora." She turned towards my assistant who was now headed to a pile of shoe boxes. "Must have taken you forever to do all this shopping."

Nora lifted her head from her crouched position, "I don't mind. I was thrilled when the guys asked for my help. I must say, you two are very lucky to have them..." She said wistfully then quickly snapping out of her thoughts, She picked a white stiletto and looking at me said, "this will go perfectly with that dress Niq."