The next day was cold and rainy, the rain falling down in sheets outside the windows of the hotel. Rana was a basket of nerves as the parents, Sami, and some of the guests were set to arrive that day, and she was worried the rain would turn into snow and they wouldn't be able to land. When eventually it did turn into snow, she began freaking out to an extent where she had to go lay down. Luckily for her, the snow wasn't that strong, and by noon, her, Rami, Jenna and Hudayfah were in the airport near the flight schedules, waiting eagerly for everyone to arrive. .

"So what am I supposed to call your parents?" Jenna asked Hudayfah from where they sat on the plastic chairs, their hands clasped together.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not a hard question habibi. What do I call them?"

"Hmm," he said rubbing a hand over his beard, "well whatever you're comfortable with I guess."

"Give me some examples." She said leaning into him, and he tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Well I mean you could call them Mama and Baba, or Khaltu and Amu, or their actual names."

She wrinkled her nose.

"I'm not going to call them by their names."

"You could just yell out 'hey you!' then when they turn around point at them." He teased, and she scowled at him.

"You're not helping!"

"Sorry darling but I really don't know! Just call them whatever you'd like."

"Hudayfah! What would they want me to call them!?"

"I don't know darling. I'm the first kid to get married so it's not like we have a point of reference in regards to daughters and sons in law!"

"What does Rami call them?"

"Well he calls them Khaltu and Amu, but he's known them almost his whole life."

"Ugh, that doesn't help me any! Find out what I should call them!" she exclaimed, and Hudayfah laughed, bringing her hand up to kiss it.

"Fine, if it will ease your mind, I will ask."

"Thank you!" she exclaimed kissing his cheek. Just then, Rana bounded over, followed by a bored looking Rami.

"Okay, so I just checked the flight schedule again,"

"For the twentieth time." Rami grumbled, and Rana ignored him.

"And their flights are all on time Alhamdulillah! Only twenty more minutes!" she squealed, plopping down next to Jenna. "So you remember my Aunt Dania right?" she asked, and Jenna shook her head.

"Not really. I kind of blocked out the first wedding."

"Well that's nice to know." Hudayfah said, and Jenna leaned into him.

"Sorry habibi."

"It's okay."

"Well anyways, my Aunt Dania is the cool Aunt. She was the one that we all liked to hang out with and talk with and such. She's my favorite!"

Jenna smiled, though she felt her heart beat painfully at Rana's words, thinking of her Uncle. Hudayfah, perhaps sensing her train of thought, gave her hand a light squeeze.

"So Hikmah and Hind are coming in tomorrow with their parents, and my friends from Jersey are driving up Saturday morning, and Sami is coming with Mama, Baba, Khaltu Dania and Khalo Ibrahim who are also bringing their three daughters. Rami's parents are coming with his grandparents on his dad's side, and with all of the men here, and you and Emma and Maria, I think we will have close to fifty! I'm so excited! Aren't you excited?!" she exclaimed, bouncing around to look at Rami, and he laughed.

"I'm very excited."

"Well act more excited! Come on let's go look at the schedule again!"

"Oh no! I need to rest!" Rami exclaimed taking a seat next to Hudayfah, and Rana eagerly grasped Jenna's hand.

"Come on Jenna!" she exclaimed, and as she dragged her away, both men laughed.

"There go our girls." Rami said fondly, and Hudayfah laughed.

"What happened to the pact we made when we were little to stay single forever?"

Rami laughed, and leaned back in his chair.

"You know I outgrew the girls have cooties stage."

Hudayfah shook his head.

"Remember being like that? Seems so long ago. Now look at us all grown up. I mean you're going to be thirty soon!"

Rami groaned.

"Don't remind me! So you know Hud, I was wondering what are we doing for security?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we are going to have a lot of family here this weekend, and we have a traitor amongst us. What are we going to do?"

"Well, the Plaza provides some security, and I've hired a few extra men. You didn't think I would leave everyone unprotected did you!?"

"Of course not man, I was just reminding you."

"Ahh oh my God their flight just landed!" Rana squealed rushing back over to them. "Come on! Let's go wait by their bags!" she exclaimed bouncing away.

Everyone laughed, before following her towards the luggage carousals.

***

"Oh Jenna! Habibti you are just as beautiful as I remember you! MashaAllah I have the most beautiful daughter and daughter in law!" Hudayfah's mom gushed as they finally appeared. Rana had attacked her parents, followed by a couple who Jenna vaguely remembered from her first wedding, and three teenage girls she assumed to be their kids, Rami welcoming his parents and grandparents as well. After hugging her son, Hudayfah's mom had turned her attention to Jenna, beaming at her.

"Now there is my other daughter! Salaam habibti!" Hudayfah's dad boomed, pulling Jenna into a hug.

"Walaikumasalaam!" she couldn't help but laughing as she was swept into a hug by Khaltu Dania, they were just such a happy group of people! After introductions had been made around, they got the bags, packed into the limo, and set out for the hotel.

"Hudayfah, Sami told me about the fire! What was it faulty wiring?" his dad asked, and he shared the briefest of glances with Rami.

"Um, could be."

His dad frowned.

"The firefighters couldn't tell?"

"I think an investigation is still going on."

"You should get the wiring checked as soon as you can."

"Yes Baba." Hudayfah replied, and his mom gave a slight shiver.

"Well Alhamdulillah no one was hurt! I heard that your sisters were in the house Jenna?!" Umm Sami asked, and Jenna nodded.

"Yes, but Alhamdulillah everyone is okay."

"Alhamdulillah!"

"So Jenna! I hope Hudayfah is taking care of you!" Abu Sami exclaimed, and Jenna smiled.

"Yes, very much so."

Umm Sami put a hand over her heart.

"Aren't they such a precious couple!? I remember when they got married I said that they were going to be so happy together. Don't you remember me saying that Dania?!"

"Yes I do! MashaAllah you two are looking well. Jenna, there is a glow about you, any special news?!" Khaltu Dania said with a wink, and Jenna blushed as everyone laughed.

"No, not yet." She said a bit embarrassedly, but thankfully everyone turned their attention to the bride and groom, and she could bury her red face into Hudayfah's shoulder, causing him to chuckle.

Once they had arrived at the hotel, there was a huge reunion at dinner, and they were so loud, that one of the waiters in the restaurant actually asked them to lower their voices, which only lasted for a few seconds until Khaltu Dania said something funny, causing another uproar. By the time they had all retired for the night, everyone was in a great mood, greatly anticipating Saturday's festivities.

***

"So did you know I had like six people ask me if I was pregnant tonight? Do I look fat or something?" Jenna asked, taking off her robe and looking in the mirror in the bathroom, and Hudayfah laughed, pulling down the blanket on their bed.

"No you do not look fat darling. You just know how people are, especially the elders. My mom has been excited for grandchildren since before I even got married."

"So she's expecting some soon?"

He shrugged.

"When it happens, it will happen InshaAllah. No matter how in control she likes to be, she can't arrange this."

Jenna shook her head in amusement.

"Your Aunt Dania is a piece of work."

Hudayfah laughed, and pulled his pajama top on.

"Yeah she's pretty funny. It's hilarious cause her and Khalo Ibrahim are polar opposites. He's really quiet and doesn't talk a lot, he's sort of like Jafar, and she's loud and always has to have a conversation going."

"Is she your mom's sister or is he her brother?"

"Khalo Ibrahim is her brother, but they got married years before I was even born, so I grew up with Aunt Dania as my Aunt."

She smiled at him.

"I liked Rami's parents too. His dad is a lot like him."

"Yeah they both like to give me a hard time."

Jenna laughed, and looked at the mirror again, staring at her stomach, jumping slightly as Hudayfah slid his arms around her.

"You don't look fat." He murmured into her ear, "I promise, you look gorgeous as always." He said, and they both looked in the mirror.

"Your mom was right wasn't she?"

"About what?" He asked softly kissing her neck.

"About us being happy. We're happy right?"

"Alhamdulillah." He said, kissing her again, and she turned around, putting her arms around his neck.

"Thank you." She whispered, and he tilted his head questioningly.

"For what?"

"For being so patient with me."

"You don't have to thank me."

She shook her head.

"No I do. I was so terrified the night we got married, and you were so gentle and kind and you didn't force me into anything. You've never even brought it up. All I've gotten from you is kindness and love and generosity. You're perfect."

"Well I do sound kind of perfect." He said teasingly, and she hit his shoulder, before stretching to kiss him. He wound his fingers in her hair, and after a few seconds he lifted her into his arms, and carried her into the room.

***

"Oh my God! I am getting married today!" Rana exclaimed, before falling face first onto her bed. Jenna laughed, and pulled on Rana's arm.

"Come on get up! We have to get you ready!"

"I'm scared." Came her muffled reply, and Jenna sat down next to her.

"I know habibti. But it will be okay. You've been waiting to be with Rami since forever."

Rana sat up and smiled.

"You're right."

"Just think in only a few hours you'll be his wife!"

Rana laughed, and leaned against the bedpost.

"I can't even believe it. It seems like a dream."

"Well let's go make your dreams come true! Hurry get up before Emma comes in and yells at us for not getting ready!"

Just then the door opened, and as Emma appeared, she put a hand on her hip.

"What are you two doing?! Rana, you're getting married in two hours! Why aren't you ready!? And Jenna, how can you help me get her ready if you aren't ready! Go!" she scolded.

"Told you." Jenna said to Rana and they both laughed, before Jenna pushed up from the bed, put on her scarf, and left their hotel room. She made it halfway down the hallway, before bumping into Hudayfah and Rami.

"Oh! Hi!"

"Hello darling." Hudayfah said with a smile.

"Hey Rami! You ready?" she asked, and he nodded, though he looked nervous.

"Yes of course. I mean I'm a little bit anxious but that's normal right? Right?"

"Right. Just go take your shower and get dressed and everything will be fine." Hudayfah said reassuringly, and once his friend had gone into his own room, Hudayfah pulled Jenna into a hug.

"Hello." He said quietly giving her a kiss. "Last night was wonderful." He whispered, and she pushed against his chest.

"Hudayfah! Your parents could come out any second! Or worse, Rami's grandparents!"

"I think my parents would be worse since Rami's grandparents don't speak English and they wouldn't know what I was talking about!" he teased, and she rolled her eyes.

"Fine, your parents could come out any second. Or your Aunt and Uncle. Or your brother. Or so many other people! We are in the middle of a hallway, it's not the place to discuss this."

He laughed and took her hand.

"Don't be embarrassed."

She scowled at him, and started walking towards their room.

"I'm not talking about this with you. I have to get ready. And so do you."

"Whatever you say." He said with a grin, and she waited as he unlocked the door before heading towards the closet, taking out the green and blue dress Emma had chosen for her to wear.

"Do you want to shower first or should I?" she asked.

"You go ahead. Knowing Emma, she expects you to be back soon.

Jenna laughed.

"You're really getting to know her well. Poor Maria often gets eclipsed by Emma's personality."

As she walked by him, he caught her hand, and pulled her towards him, kissing her, before letting her go, and turning towards the closet, getting out his suit. She watched him for a few seconds, her face turning slightly red, before she went into the bathroom, smiling as she shut the door.

***

Rami paced up and down the hallway outside Rana's room, straightening out his tie for the millionth time. He was waiting for her to come to the door. They were going to get married in a few minutes, and he just needed to talk to her first, just to get some reassurance.

As the hotel room door opened, Emma appeared in a floor length blue dress with green flowers on the collar and around the hem.

"Okay you can talk but you can't see her yet. She's just on the other side of the door." She said opening it a bit wider, before stepping back inside.

"Rami?" came Rana's voice, and he let out a breath.

"Salaam Rana."

"Walaikumasalaam. What's going on? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

"Oh yes I am fine."

"Then what's going on?"

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"Okay. About what?"

"Just wanted to make sure you aren't having second thoughts."

She laughed.

"Well I'm dressed, and am getting ready to go downstairs. I think I'm okay. You're not having second thoughts are you?"

"No of course not." He hurried to say. "Are you doing okay?"

"Yes I am Alhamdulillah. A little nervous. What about you?"

He gave a short laugh.

"I think I'm more than a little nervous." He cleared his throat. "I was wondering if you wanted to make Du'aa with me before we go down."

"Oh Rami," she said softly, "of course. Please go ahead."

He cleared his throat nervously, running a hand through his hair, and wishing he could see her.

"I ask Allah swt Lord of the universes to bless our union. May he make it one based on a love for Him and a love for His Deen, and may he help us to help each other be the best we can be. May he unite our hearts, help us to be merciful and loving with one another, and let us be together from the moment we get married until forever in Jannah. Oh and may he bless us with many children." He added, and she laughed, and when she gave a sniffle he knew she was crying before she even said anything.

"Ameen ya Rabb. That was beautiful. Thank you."

"So I'll see you soon?"

"I'll see you soon InshaAllah."

"I'll be waiting."