Kamilah al-Damiri

Kamilah "Kami" al-Damiri. Born and raised in Cairo, moved to Atlanta at 13. Mother to 15 year old Ladon and 6 month old Liyana. Currently dealing with being abandoned by her children's father for the second time and the death of her father, and adjusting to being the single mother of a baby 15 years after doing it the first time.

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

“started thinking about us before she was born? i think i really started thinking about it a lot more when she was born. i was there and i was with you and the kids and it felt like i had a family again and then i realized how much i’d like to have a family with you and that i’d want to be with you. i just wasn’t sure you’d want to do the same thing…” he trailed out and then bit his lip. emmett knew she cared about him but he hoped that if they made this step, it’d just be them and if coyote came back, that wouldn’t change anything. he trusted her but he was a little nervous to give his heart to someone else. “maybe i don’t want anyone but you though. if i’m going to do this with someone, i’d want it to be with you. i care about you a lot, kami. don’t you think we should give this a chance?”

“It was right after Coyote left, I don’t know what it was, but suddenly I realized that everyone was right, I shouldn’t have let him back into my life, I don’t regret it, of course, but once he’d left again, it was like I was seeing you for the first time.”  She looked back up at him, “My family already is your family, I’m sure Liyana already sees you as her father and I know Ladon won’t have any trouble with that either.  You’re in, all we need to do is make it official.  If, for some reason, I’m really the one you want, then I say we do it, let’s give it a chance.”  There was always a possibility that Coyote would try to worm back into her life again once Liyana was less in need of constant parenting and supervision, but for the first time in the 25 years since they’d started their relationship, Kami didn’t want him to come back.  She was finished with him, it was over and she was never letting him in again, they didn’t need him anymore, or maybe they never did at all.  

She smiled, the tears in her eyes were now from happiness, “So do you want to just take up residence at my place officially now? You’re pretty much there all day anyway, this will make your travel time so much shorter,” she teased. 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett wasn’t really sure how this hadn’t happened before, especially since they’d always been close. sure, they’d had other relationships but he couldn’t help but wonder what exactly stopped them? was it their fear of ruining their friendship or was it the fact that neither of them even considered making a move while the other was healing. he wasn’t sure but he’d definitely like to know.  “so, when you say you’ve been wanting to do that for a long time…define long time. like a couple of weeks or a couple of months or years? i’m genuinely curious.” he admitted. “i’m glad you’re not hiding it anymore because…i feel the same way. you and the kids mean more to me than anything.” 

“Part of me has always been attracted to you, from when we first met, but the timing never really felt right for either of us, at least not from my point of view.  I guess I really started thinking about it seriously before Liyana was born.  Ladon was growing up and the school he’s at recruited him and started talking about colleges, and then my daddy got sick and you were the only thing in my life that felt like it was stable and I loved you for being there, but then...” She stopped, he knew what happened then, Coyote had come back, she’d found out she was expecting Liyana, then her father had passed and he’d left her again.  “I couldn’t see what anyone would want with me after that mess, I showed I’d put my own wants ahead of what was best for my children when he came back and...you can do better, Emmett.  I love you, and I’ll always love you, but you should be with someone better than me, that’s why I never said anything.  Tonight though, I guess I just couldn’t hold it in anymore.” 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett had considered that things could eventually happen between the two of them, especially with the amount of time they spent together but the possibility wasn’t ever something that scared him or turned him away. if he was going to give his heart to another woman, he’d want it to be kami. he’d want it to be someone who understood how much courage it took to open up again after getting hurt and she did. she’d been through the same things. he almost forgot where they they were until she pulled away from him and he opened his eyes, scanning her face as he did so. “why didn’t you?” he asked, his thumb brushing over her skin as his hand rested against the side of her face. 

Kami had often wondered what it would be like to have Emmett as a partner, she couldn’t imagine he’d been anything other than wonderful, he was such a sweet person and he’d been there for her and her children when he didn’t have to be.  Spending time with him felt effortless and she could be herself around him and he could do the same with her, now that she thought about it, she couldn’t believe she hadn’t attempted this or brought it up to him sooner. “I...I don’t know.  I guess I was scared you wouldn’t feel the same way and it would ruin our friendship, I can’t imagine not having you in my life so I didn’t think it was worth the risk, but I couldn’t keep hiding it, I already regret not saying anything sooner, but I just didn’t know if that’s what you wanted.” 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett chuckled as she mentioned how strong he was, a smile playing on his lips. he knew that this wasn’t really a date but a part of him wanted it to be, especially with the way the mood was changing between them. he swayed along to the music with her, comfortable here with her more than anywhere else and he liked the way the air around them began to change. he looked down at her as she looked up at him and as she leaned in. he had to admit, he didn’t think kami would ever see him that way despite the fact that he was feeling some type of way about her tonight and he wondered if she was just doing this because of where they were and because they’d had some things to drink. he hoped not. if this happened tonight, he wanted to keep happening. he wanted to be with her. he didn’t hesitate as he met her lips halfway and kissed her back, one of his hands moving to cup the side of her cheek.

Kami may have been pushed into action by the atmosphere of the wedding and free flowing champagne, but she was acting on what she’d been feeling for a long time.  She loved him, he was a good man and she knew he could be relied on and the thought of a potential relationship with him was almost too good to be true, but she didn’t know if he felt the same, until he kissed her back.  Obviously she’d been kissed before, she’d been in love before, but this was different, she didn’t feel like she had to fight to earn his attention, she knew she was going to have it and he would appreciate her, and that was something she’d never had before.  It was like the whole world disappeared except for the two of them in that moment and she was suddenly kicking herself for not doing this sooner.  She didn’t know how long they had been kissing, but when they eventually had to pull away she looked back up at him , “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” she whispered, not even sure if he could hear her. 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

It was a almost a relief to tell everyone about Itani. She’d been keeping the secret for weeks and now talking about her made it all seem more real, though Kieran knew it wouldn’t feel really real until they were all home. Beaming the entire night, a constant glass of champagne in her hand, she’d made her way around the party and ended up with her sisters in law and her mother in law, all laughing and chatting at a table. “Hi!” Kieran grinned hugging her back and reaching for Liyana immediately. She was drunk, which only made her need baby snuggles more. “Thank you,” she giggled. “I wish I could wear this dress everyday. I am! Isn’t this amazing? I can’t believe we had such a good turn out,” smiling, she held her niece close, kissing the top of her head.

Kami already had 11 nieces and nephews, but she adored them all and the thought of adding another one to that list was so exciting and she couldn’t wait to meet the little girl and Kieran and her brother were going to be bringing home.  She’d been drinking champagne most of the night too, which was unusual for her since she was nursing, but she’d planned ahead and knew that Liyana would be covered, and she was having a great time.  When things had calmed down and Kieran and Tereik were back from Egypt, she’d tell Kieran about the development in her relationship with Emmett, but there was time for that later, right now this was all about Kieran. 

Kami kissed Liyana on the top of her little head and passed her over to Kieran, “Somehow she’s managing to doze off during all the excitement, she’ll cuddle with you all night if you’ll let her.  You look like an angel, Kieran, you could absolutely wear it every day and it would be awesome.  Of course you had a great turnout, everyone is so happy for you guys and they’re all so excited to be celebrating with you, it’s a perfect night.” 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett was more than happy that he decided to join kami at her brother’s wedding. of course, he’d been around and the family recognized him enough for this to seem normal but to him, things didn’t really seem all that normal. the mood between them had changed tonight and he wasn’t sure what that meant or whether this was something that would be the new normal. either way, he wasn’t questioning it and instead, he was just going to take it as he could get it. kami was attractive and she knew him better than anyone else so who better to fall in love with than his best friend? he looked at her as she spoke, a smile spreading over his face as he got up and took her hand. “alright. let’s go.” he tugged her toward the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands resting on the small of her back.

The mood had changed between them, she didn’t know the exact cause of it, but it was a good feeling.  She’d always loved him and he meant the world to her, but tonight she was feeling a different kind of love for him and she really hoped he was feeling the changes as well, because she was almost entirely positive that she’d switched from loving him to being in love with him.  “Great,” she said, following him onto the dance floor and all but melting into his arms.  “I always forget how strong you are,” she said, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest, she felt so safe and secure there, it was an amazing feeling.  Normally she’d never consider making a move, on Emmett or on anyone, she never made the first move, but she looked up and leaned in a little, she didn’t know if he wanted to kiss her, but she was going for it, she knew she’d regret it if she didn’t at least try and see if he maybe felt the same way.

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

The reception had been a great time so far.  Despite their complicated relationship, Kami was happy to be able to spend so much time with her sisters and was particularly happy to be seeing her mother.  They’d always lived in the same building, but after her father had died, she’d gone back to Egypt and Kami missed her terribly, but for the moment, her mother was mingling with Liyana in her arms and Ladon was busy with his cousins, so Kami and Emmett had some time to themselves.  They’d been talking and having a great time all night, and she wasn’t sure if it was the atmosphere or the champagne but when the DJ played a slow, romantic song, Kami desperately wanted to be in his arms and she wasn’t sure if she’d get a chance to do this again, tonight or ever, so she decided to go for it. 

“Dance with me?” she asked, “I really like this song.” 

@coachemmctt​

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Kami had been bursting with excitement about the news that she was going to be an aunt again and not telling anyone about the adoption had been maddening, but it was all worth it when she saw how thrilled everyone was when Kieran and Tereik made the announcement to all their friends.  She’d never seen either of them happier and she couldn’t have been happier for them, this reception was exactly what they deserved after everything they’d been through, the only thing she wished is that her father had been there to see his son thriving with the love of his life. 

When there was a break in the action, Kami took Liyana from Emmett and settled at a table with Kieran, a few of her sisters, and her mother, “Hey you,” she said, giving Kieran a quick hug and sat next to her, “you look amazing, are you having as good of a time as it looks like you are?” 

@k-s-horowitz​

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett wanted similar things. he’d always wanted a normal life with a family and a house and a dog and a happy marriage but things hadn’t worked that way for him. things mostly only felt normal when he was around kami. kami and her kids made him happy and made him feel like he belongs but he knew he couldn’t just jump in and take the father role and the husband role if that wasn’t something her and her kids wanted from him. he cared a lot about kami but they’d always been friends and that wasn’t something he ever pushed anyways. he didn’t want to ruin their relationship or what they had. “cheerios, huh? babies always love cheerios. my kids were the same way.” he replied with a small chuckle and then looked back down at liyana in attempt to distract himself from the kids he missed so much. he shook his head to clear his head and then looked up as she spoke, “no pressure, huh?” he teased her and then smiled up at her. “you know i’d love to go with you. i’ll be there. i won’t let you endure your sister’s looks alone.”

“I don’t know why they don’t just write “Crack for Babies” right on that box, that’s pretty much what they are at this point.  I don’t really have a leg to stand on though, I’m pretty sure after these past couple of weeks, I’m more Sweet and Sour Chicken than human.”  Kami loved her sisters, but she’d always struggled more than any of them had, they all had the perfect lives they wanted, never struggled in school, had loving, well connected husbands and she never felt like she could compare to any of them.  They loved her and she knew they meant well, but none of them could understand why she’d allowed Coyote to take over her life and force her to cut contact with everyone she knew for so long and then to just take him back when he came around again.  She didn’t really understand it either, other than that she just wanted someone to take some of the weight off her shoulders and he’d done that, even if it was just temporarily.  The sisters had gotten into plenty of arguments about it over the years and Kami felt like she took most of the heat, but when events like this came along, they rallied together and they were going to be there and support their little brother this weekend, but Kami knew she’d need backup if she was going to get through it in one piece.  “Thank you so much, I knew I could count on you.  And my mother is going to be thrilled, I think she likes you more than any of her actual children right now, apparently even as adults, we’re a lot of work,” she said with a laugh.

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

emmett had been there as much as he could when she needed him. between everything else, he thought he did really well. every time she called, if he could, he was there and more times than not, he could be there. he didn’t really have a lot going on since losing his family and so, he spent his time doing everything he could to make sure he wasn’t alone too much. he didn’t like being alone with his thoughts because he only stressed himself out and everything else. he almost wished he could have another baby but he figured he shouldn’t try it. he was older and who knew when he’d find someone else to replace the gap his ex wife had left. he chuckled a little and looked down at liyana, his fingers tickling her sides gently. “are you stealing food now?” he cooed and smiled down at the baby. “what’s her favorite thing to eat? like, is she eating cereals and all?” he shrugged his shoulders, “no big deal but i would like to see you two in the stands cheering my team on. the two best cheerleaders i could ask for anyways.”

The only thing Kami had ever really wanted was a traditional family, a husband, a house, a couple of kids and someone to grow old with, and these days she’d almost given up on parts of that dream.  She had a nice apartment in a great building, thanks to the influence of her parents who owned the building’s penthouse, she had two children that she loved dearly, but she’d had her heart broken so badly by someone she desperately wanted to make a life with, it seemed like that window had passed.  Of course she adored Emmett and found him very attractive, but she knew he’d had his heart broken just as badly, if not worse than she had and she didn’t know if he saw her the way that she saw him.  “She’s a hardcore Cheerio addict, just like her brother before her, it must be genetic.  She’s starting to enjoy different kinds of a baby food too, and I’m thinking about getting a food processor so I can make my own since it’s supposed to be better for her.”  She paused and debated for a moment before asking her next question.  “So...my entire family is going to be in town this weekend for Tereik’s wedding reception and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to be my date?  It should be a lot of fun, but if I go alone my sisters are going to be making that “I feel so sorry for you” face every time they look at me and I can’t deal with it.  I guess Tereik rented the whole museum for the night and it’s fairly formal, but I’d really love for you to come with me.  If you want to, of course.  No pressure.”

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Dragon, hippogriff, thunderbird, troll

Dragon: How does your muse connect to fire?

She really doesn’t.  She’s got an appropriate fear of it, but nothing too serious.  

Hippogriff: Does your muse have a high level of self worth?

Definitely not. It’s better than it used to be, but still not great.  She’s always felt like her siblings were smarter, more attractive, and just better than her in pretty much every way, but she’s doing better. 

Thunderbird: Does your muse value honor?

Yes.  Her trust isn’t exactly easy to earn, but once someone’s got it, it’s hard for her to let go, even when it’s better for her. 

Troll: Does your muse have a collection?

Sort of, she’s got a refrigerator magnet from everywhere she’s gone, and from most of the places her siblings have been to as well.  She doesn’t look for them actively, but it keeps happening and she’s okay with that. 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Vampire

Vampire: Which of the Seven Deadly Sins relates to your muse?

Envy.  She definitely has a hard time seeing other people have things she wants and can’t seem to get. 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Hydra, Hippogriff, Manticorn

Hydra: Does your muse have a reoccurring problem?

Her lack of self-esteem causes a lot of problems in her life because she doesn’t think she deserves anything and will allow herself to stay in relationships that are bad for her, because she can’t imagine why anyone would want her. 

Hippogriff: Does your muse have a high level of self worth?

I didn’t realize this was the next question, but no.  It’s better than it used to be, but still not great.

Manticorn: What does your muse fear?

Things never fully working out.  She just wants a stable home life, a good job, healthy kids, and someone to love her.  She’s accomplished some of it now, but whenever she’s truly happy with her life, something comes along and knocks her down. 

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Griffin, Minotaur, and Werewolf

Griffin: Does your muse have any priceless possessions?

Nothing that’s actually priceless when it comes to money.  She has an old wedding ring that used to belong to her father’s father.  When she’s dealing with something and wants some extra strength, she wears it on a chain around her neck.  Her father always said Kami was the most like him and when she wears the ring she feels like he’s watching over her. 

Minotaur: What secret does you muse keep hidden?

When her ex, Coyote, threw her out after finding out she was pregnant, she seriously considered either ending the pregnancy or putting the baby up for adoption so that Coyote would take her back.  She thought it over a lot and decided not to do it and never once regretted it or told anyone. 

Werewolf: What makes your muse lose control?

Seeing someone in an abusive or overly controlling relationship.  It’s something she’s experienced herself and never did anything about it, but when she sees it happening in someone else, she gets fiercely protective of anyone she sees that needs help.

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

Mermaid & Phoenix

Mermaid: How does your muse connect to water? 

She’s not great with water, she knows how to swim and she likes pools and beaches, but she will avoid actually submerging herself in the ocean or a lake, anything where she can’t see the bottom, she doesn’t like the unknown things that could be lurking in the water. 

Phoenix: Who was your muse in their past life?

Personally I always pictured her as Meritaten.  She was the daughter of Akhenaten, who started Atenism, the religion Kami and her family currently believe.  I like the thought of her being reincarnated as someone who would still worship the religion her father created.

[kami-aldamiri-rn]

It’s  Meme Monday!

Here are my Ask Boxes:

KAMI

TEREIK

DEACON