- Defne, - Omer looked over her shoulder. His voice clearly sounded displeased - what are you reading there so interesting that for two hours now there has been zero attention on me?

- I won't tell you, - she answered quite seriously and covered the page with her hand. Omer's eyes widened. Defne sighed and explained: - I will not tell you because you will laugh at me. You say that I am a narrow-minded person who believes in prejudice.

- What? Omer really laughed. "You intrigued me. Now I won't sleep until you tell me everything. "He glanced sideways at the book. - Don't tell me that you decided to invent the Philosopher's Stone and turn everything around into gold?

- Why do I need it? Defne frowned. - An absolutely stupid wish. I don't want gold.

- And what do you want? Omer also removed his joking tone.

- I want to create something that will help one person to change their thoughts. And maybe then her most cherished dream will come true. Just don't ask anything. If everything works out, then I will tell you all myself.

And again Omer froze. Looking inseparably at the sweet, serious face for the thousandth time asked himself: will he ever get used to this feature of Defne - the desire to make everyone around her happy. And he answered himself: no! Her big heart will always surprise and delight him. Taking the book from her hands, he closed it and put it in her backpack.

- So it will be, my soul, - promised. - You will succeed. Now talk to me. I missed your voice and smile.

- Ay! But the stewardess smiled so sweetly at you, - Defne teased him.

- True? He wondered. - I did not notice.

Defne laughed and shook her head.

- Ay-y-yay, Mr. Omer! The girl definitely thought you were an iceberg.

Omer leaned over to her and whispered in her ear:

- Or maybe a man who is madly in love with his wife?

Defne, smiling slyly, looked at him and asked again:

- Up to madness?

"Uh-huh," he shook his head like a boy. Looking sideways at the passengers sitting across the aisle and making sure that no one was paying attention to them, he kissed the laughing lips and suggested: - Shall we spread out the chairs and lie down? It will be more convenient for you.

"It's a good idea," Defne agreed. - But you know me - just find myself in a horizontal position, immediately fall asleep.

- That is great! It is still fourteen hours to fly to Paris. Get a good night's sleep. And I'll look enough of your pretty face.

Paris greeted travelers with invigorating frost and light snow. From the hot summer, the Iplikci family returned to the winter and remembered that their clothes did not at all correspond to the season and weather. They had to wait for the flight to Istanbul for more than two hours. After going through passport control, they rushed to one of the boutiques, which was located in the Orly airport building, and bought themselves suitable clothes. After changing clothes right in the fitting room, they went to wander around the souvenir shops. When there were forty minutes left before boarding, Omer went to re-register the tickets, and Defne decided to go to a large, panoramic window. She took a couple of steps and ran into her nose to nose ...

Slender, graceful, in an elegant mink coat and a Chanel No. 5 scent, arm in arm with an imposing man, Defne faced her old heartache which looked at her with caramel eyes.

- Defne? Is it really you? - Her mother smiled a serene, puppet smile and took a step, but Defne stopped her with a glance.

- Mum? She immediately scolded herself for this word. And for the pain in her heart. And for the trembling voice. The next line was thrown in with cold irony: "You look good. Didn't expect to see you here."

But her mother did not hear the subtle mockery ... or pretended not to hear. She gestured gracefully to her companion:

- We have been living in Paris for seven years. Today we returned from Berlin. We visited Friedrich's relatives, - she looked tenderly at her husband and asked her daughter: - Do you remember Friedrich?

Defne remembered. She saw him only once, at the airport, where she rushed to get her mother. Went to stop her. To persuade not to leave. After all, they all need her so much! He then stood with a bored smile and looked through her. As it is now. She nodded reservedly to him and turned her gaze to her mother. Defne looked at her, so dazzlingly beautiful, contented with life, and saw her grandmother crying over her empty wallet, the beaten Serdar, Esra, who complains that her shoes are tight. And there is no money to buy new ones. She saw herself mourning dreams of a university, agreeing to a deal with Mrs. Neriman, lying to Omer, and desperately trying to get out of debt. Anger boiled in her soul. Defne clenched her teeth to suppress it.

- Darling! I lost sight of you ..., - Omer suddenly appeared, took her arm, and kissed her on the cheek. And only then he noticed Defne's company. He looked first at a beautiful woman, then at a respectable man, then at his wife frozen in a pillar of salt, and internally shivered. The silence was broken by the woman. She smiled sweetly at Omer and asked Defne:

- Is this young man your husband? - Without waiting for an answer, she held out to Omer a graceful, snow-white hand with a huge diamond on her ring finger and introduced herself: - I am Aysun, Defne's mother. And this is my husband, Friedrich.

- Omer Iplikci.

He briefly shook the outstretched hand, nodded to the man, and looked anxiously at Defne. She stood with her shoulders back and her head proudly raised. Calm and unperturbed. And only the eyes were burning with fire. He recognized that look. How often did he see this in the mirror? But Defne cannot look like that!

- How is Serdar, Esra? - Meanwhile, the woman asked and Defne shuddered. Looking coldly into her eyes, she answered:

- Your children live in the same city, area, the house where you left them twelve years ago. They didn't move, didn't change the address and phone, "Defne's voice trembled. - There is no need to be hypocritical and ask how they are. When a person is worried and wants to know how his family is, whether they are okay, whether they are alive or well, he calls, writes, and comes.

- Defne, do you reproach me? - The woman's face stretched out resentfully, and she piteously twisted her impeccably painted lips.

"No, Mrs. Aysun," Defne answered ironically. - Do I have the right? And it makes no sense. You still won't understand anything!

Omer's hand slid over her arm and squeezed her thin fingers. He nodded discreetly and said:

- They announced boarding for our flight. All the best, - turning to Defne, took the backpack from her hands, and carefully straightened the collar of her coat. - Let's go, my soul?

She nodded and allowed herself to be led away.

Looking after the retreating couple, the man phlegmatically remarked:

"Your ill-mannered daughter has successfully married. The appearance was probably more important to her husband than manners.

The woman said nothing. She looked at the graceful figure in black trousers and a mustard-colored short coat disappearing into the crowd, and confusion was reflected on her doll-like cute face.

Defne was silent. While the passport control was going on, while they were riding the bus and getting on the plane, she did not say a word. Omer looked worriedly at her frozen face but spoke only when the plane took off, and the stewardess allowed to unfasten the seat belts.

- Defne, are you very upset?

She nodded. But she didn't look up at him. She lowered her eyes, staring at the folded hands in her lap.

- Are you mad at her? He asked the next question.

- Yes.

"You have every reason for that," Omer admitted the obvious. "But I don't want you to be upset. To suffer."

Finally, she looked up at him. A rebellious fire burned in her eyes and bitterness splashed.

- Omer, you can't live your life without being upset.

- I know. But when it comes to you, I can't help myself. I want you to be always happy, calm, and contented.

- Now I can't, - Defne honestly admitted. - I thought that I had been through with this situation and let go. But today I met her - and everything came to life. As in the first days after her departure. I'm angry again...

- Because you love her. We are always angry at the most beloved, - Omer turned her to him, and she obeyed. - Do you remember when I was angry with my grandfather, you said that people need to be given a second chance...

- Darling, - Defne interrupted him. Her voice trembled. - These are different things. Your grandfather made many mistakes, but he never stopped loving and caring for you. He wanted that second chance with all his heart to get close to you. And when a person doesn't need it? Not needed at all. No matter how much I give her a chance ... or Serdar ... or Esra ... everything is empty. She doesn't need it. She doesn't need us. She is a cuckoo. Do you understand? And it hurts a lot. "She began to cry softly."

- Come to me, - Omer hugged her and carefully pressed her red head to his chest. He didn't know how to calm her down. He couldn't find words at all. He could only wipe away her tears and hold her in his arms.

Gradually Defne calmed down but was in no hurry to withdraw. Omer's hands provided much-needed comfort. His hugs without words spoke of love, big and unconditional. The one when the happiness of a loved one is your happiness and his pain hurts more than your own. And even if she is no one's child, fate has rewarded her in full. Isn't it а miracle?

As if hearing her thoughts, Omer quietly whispered:

- I love you.

It was sunny and very cold in Istanbul. Sukru was waiting for the boss and his wife in the waiting room. They emerged from the arrival corridor refreshed, tanned, and subtly changed. As if in these ten days they have matured. Smiling at the faithful driver, Omer ordered:

- Sukru, first we will visit Defne's family.

She gave him a grateful look, and he put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the exit.

- Aaa ... luggage? - asked Sukru in confusion.

Omer and Defne stopped, looked at each other conspiratorially, and answered in one voice:

- There is not. Lost in the ocean, - embracing Defne by the shoulders, Omer added: - But we are here! And now we are going to see our grandmother. You take us and go home. It's too late. Then I will drive the car myself.

When Omer and Defne appeared on the threshold of the Topal house, the end of the world began there. The female part was crying, laughing, lamenting, and all this at the same time. Grandmother squeezed Defne with dry hands and thanked Allah for saving her beloved girl. Esra hugged her sister and son-in-law alternately and laughed with joy. Nihan chattered how frightened they were when they heard about the plane crash and saw Defne's name on the passenger list on the TV screen. Baby Iso in surprise clapped his round eyes and, confirming the words of his mother, vigorously gurgled. And Serdar was silent. He just looked at his sister with eyes that glittered with tears. Omer patted him on the shoulder encouragingly and reassured him:

- It's okay, brother. We got off with fright, praise be to Allah.

Over dinner, Defne and Omer recounted their adventures in detail. Relatives groaned, sighed, thanked the kind people for their help, and the Almighty for the miraculous salvation of Defne and the little baby in her belly. When baby Iso began to whimper, reminding his parents that it was time for his parents to bathe him and put him to bed, the Iplikci got up to go home. Serdar went out to see them off. Near the car, he turned to his sister:

- There is something else, right? You haven't told everything?

Wondering when her foolish brother had become so discerning, Defne sighed and replied:

- Yes, - Omer put his hand on her shoulder and gently stroked her. His concern added strength, to tell the truth. - We met my mother at the Paris airport.

- Our mother? - Serdar asked in amazement.

"Uh-huh," Defne confirmed.

"And ... how is she?"

- Just as beautiful. Lives with her husband in Paris. During the New Year holidays, they visited his relatives in Germany. In general, she is doing well, satisfied, and happy.

Defne spoke abruptly, in short, in indifferent phrases. Too short. Too indifferent. Her words darkened Serdar's face and clenched his jaw tighter.

"That's great," he said through clenched teeth. - We're happy too. Without her, - Serdar looked at the windows of the house shining with warm, yellow light. - It's right that you didn't tell our grandmother and Esra. They would be very upset, - he hugged his sister and, like a little one, carefully stroked the head. - And you and I will survive. We are strong.

- Yes, brother, we are strong, - Defne agreed and pushed him to the porch. - Go back to the house. It's cold outside. You will freeze.

In the car, Defne turned to her husband:

- Your grandfather is also worried.

- I called him. I told him that we are at home, safe and sound. I promised that we would go for dinner tomorrow. Let's go? - He looked inquiringly at his wife.

"Let's go," she agreed. - Tomorrow for dinner with grandfather, the day after tomorrow for the wedding. What an eventful life we ​​have!

- Yes, - Omer said driving the car and frowned with displeasure, - the days on the island when you belonged only to me are over. Again I have to share you with dozens of people.

- And me you, - reminded Defne. - But in the evening we will close the doors of our house and remain only us.

Omer put his free hand on her belly and smiled.

- The three of us!

The house was waiting for them. Quiet, it patiently looked with its eyes-windows at the road and counted the minutes until his dear owners appeared. And when it saw, it was delighted. They have returned and it means it will come to life again. It will ring with laughter, sparkle with joy, filled with delicious smells, and at night - with hoarse moans and whispers.

"How I missed it," Defne said as she climbed to the second floor. - There is no better place on earth than our home.

Her words sent a warm wave flowing through Omer's veins. He picked up his wife in his arms and, like a feather, easily carried her into the room.

- Tradition? She smiled.

"Uh-huh," he nodded. - I just don't know if there is ice cream in the freezer. If not, I'll go to the supermarket and buy it.

- What more! Do not even think! The whole day on the road. You are tired. Besides, grandmother fed us so that we didn't want anything.

- And kiss me? Don't you want to? - Omer smiled slyly.

- Well, what a question, - Defne reproached, and reached out to him with her lips. - I always want to kiss you.

In the morning, guests came to the Iplikci house. Ahtem and Laura were the first to arrive. Behind them were Seda and Sinan. And the last to arrive was the Tranba couple. After the first greetings, tears, and hugs, the company split up. The men went into the yard to play basketball, and the girls settled in the living room. Defne talked about Bora Bora, Iz about the ski resort in the Alps, Seda talked about Switzerland, and Laura listened in silence and shone with an inner light.

- Laura, are you not worried? Seda asked her. - After all, tomorrow is your wedding.

"No," she replied, smiling serenely. - I once already had one. But then it seemed to me that the end of my life had come for me. And now - that it is just beginning. I woke up from a long lethargic sleep and can breathe again. I'm happy and I calmed down! I know that everything will be fine tomorrow. I will have the best wedding ever. Because it will be with my beloved man.

Defne put her arm around her shoulders. Smiling, she said:

- How strange. Only two and a half months have passed since our meeting in Milan. Then you dreamed of at least seeing Ahtem again. And tomorrow you marry him.

"A miracle," Laura said, happy.

"Girls," Seda said, "but there have been many such miracles over the past few months. In August we were all lonely and unhappy. And now! Defne made up with Omer and they are expecting a baby. Iz fell in love with Deniz and married him. Laura and Ahtem have found each other again and will marry tomorrow. I met Sinan. Nisa underwent surgery and she feels well. She returned to normal life. Seda smiled broadly. - This autumn was full of miracles!

"Miracles happen to those who believe in them," Iz recalled and poured orange juice from a jug into glasses. - Girls, I have a toast! For the belief in miracles!

- For the belief in miracles! - The others supported her and lifted up the glasses of bright orange juice. And then they laughed, funny and unstoppable.

- How cool it is to drink juice for believing in miracles! - Fervently voiced Seda the thought that was spinning in the language of everyone else. - By the way, in August we did not even know about each other's existence, but now we are the best friends!

- Well, let's say, some suspected it, - Iz squinted at Defne. - But they were definitely not friends.

- We were so stupid! - She answered cheerfully.

- Speak for yourself, - Iz jerked her. - It was not me who was jealous of her husband for no reason.

- You might think - special reasons are needed for jealousy, - Defne did not remain in debt to Iz and winked. "The imagination does a great job there."

Hot from the run, the men went up to the terrace and sat down to rest on wicker chairs.

- How is Passionis? Omer asked his partner. - Didn't Koray kill it?

"Imagine, no," Sinan replied cheerfully. - Everything and everybody is in place.

- And our offices?

- Remained the same.

- Wonders!

- I am in shock.

The men laughed. Sinan took a sip of water from the bottle and enlightened Omer:

- By the way, you have a new assistant. Beautiful!

"You'd think I care about her looks," Omer replied mockingly.

- Nazlidcan says - her brain is also in place, - the friend kept up.

- Then let hеr use it for the intended purpose. Nothing else is required of her.

- Yes?! Sinan was exaggeratedly surprised. - And it was required from Defne.

- Well, you compare! Defne is Defne. My soul. All the rest are hired, workers.

Deniz and Ahtem listened to the skirmish with cheerful smirks. Both knew Defne's history and who she bеcame, from the first minute of her work as his assistant, for the iceberg Omer Iplikci.

- I forgot! - did not lag behind Sinan. "Koray can't stand her anymore.

- He has a syndrome of dislike for assistants. He didn't particularly like Derya either," Omer recalled.

- But he adored your skinny girl! And now he loves her. He almost fell ill with a heart attack when we heard about the plane crash.

"And I understand him," Omer answered thoughtfully and nodded toward the house. - Let's go to dinner. Let's see what our girls have prepared for us.

The girls had prepared pasta, salad, and fragrant candied fruit cake. The hungry men were salivating at the sight and smell of the delicious dishes. But Defne handed them a pile of towels and a second one, with clean T-shirts, and said that they would not get to the table until they had a shower. Omer glanced sideways at the steaming pasta dish and groaned sadly.