Meeting Room

Yes I shall send him a message straight away I smile and move to the door to call one of the messengers Please go to Hunkarim and ask him to meet my Mother here

As I watch the messenger go down the corridor, I turn and look at my Mother I wish I could run out and surprise Uncle like I used to when I was a child I smile at the memory

I would like to see my Uncle before then so I can devote more time to Nuriye at the gathering, I think that would be the right thing to do I smile at my Mother Besides I am now too excited to wait before I see my Uncle again I laugh as I recall some of the fun I had with him when I was litttle

It will be good to have the family together once more Mother I smile as I kiss her cheek and embrace her before I return to my chambers to write a message to my Uncle asking to see him

●Ayse was told by the ennuch that her daughter in law was in labour. Pulling on her most warmest clothes she went taking a book into the gathering room. It was here that she had had many wonderful conversations with her daughter. Only Ayse knew Topkapi like the back of her hand. All concubines in her harem behaved with dignity like all young ladies should. If they did not then she would have them thrown into the dungeon. When her husband ruled and a concubine stepped out of place Ayse used to be brutal. She used to have the concubines put into a sack and threw into the bosphorus. Wearing her mother of pearl earrings she waited for her daughters and son to meet her.●

●Ayse placed her fingers under her sons chin; She looked deeply into his eyes before letting her hand drop. As I have missed you too my son. The waters are good for my health so a change is good for me once and awhile. I have not come back alone dearest son. I have brought back Hafasa with me it's important to me to have my children together. Her job as a mother was never done she had born an heir and he was now king. To Ayse that part of her life was a relief to see Süleyman finally king. He was her moon a light to light the way in the darkest of times. Come sit; tell me everthing.●

●It is Beyhan herself that I am concerned for. Her children show her very little respect; that I will not tolerate it. I will tell you a secret my son and it must be kept between us. Leyla and Esmehan do not and will never know that you ordered the death of their father Ferhat Pasha. Why should theu suffer for the mistakes of their father. It was a dreadful time when Beyhan married that man. Ayse couldn't understand why her late husband had arranged such a marriage to an insolent man. He disobeyed you many times I do not blame you but it caused cracks in our family. These cracks must be repaired between you and Beyhan; it is not her fault that she was so self reliant on her husband. She spoke to her son with anguish in her voice. Many sleepless nights Ayse had about her children; she needed her children to stand stronger together. But my grandsons are the future of this dynasty they also look up to their aunts. Is Ibrahim and Hatice still courting secretly.●

●Ayse placed a hand on her sons. All she wanted in this life was for her children to be happy and her son to reign long into his old life. She felt blessed that she had seen her grandchildren be born especially Mustafa. My son, I love you, you are my greatest gift I have given to this world. I would like to think I have never caused you any reason to be angered with me. Yes it was very sly what Hatice done wrong but at least here you can keep an eye on her. I know you Suleyman you would of worried about her well being if she wasn't at the palace. I have spent many nights worried about Şah. Ayse couldn't hold the tears that were building up as she cried she let out a hallowing howl. What awful mother am I to let my daughter be treated as such.●

●Sometimes we think that situations are simple. But sometimes they are not so my son. It is always wise to have a cautious eye on people as you will never know when they shall attack. This was something Ayse had learned many years ago to always keep her eye on people that made her feel uneasy.●

*Ayse had prepared for a meal for her daughter in law. For good measure, she invited her beloved Hatice to share the company. Also, this was suppose to be a distraction for her as it was now common knowledge that my lion cub had taken a concubine. Which was nothing out of the ordinary it was all part of our tradition. Still; I knew that Mahidevran would be fretting over this.*

Mahidevran it is so good to see you.

*Ayse walked over to her taking her hands between her own hands.*