Dr. Tereik al-Damiri

  My name is Dr. Tereik al-Damiri, but everyone usually just calls me T.  I moved to Atlanta a year ago after having to retire from my archaeology field work.  I had a very profitable career after discovering a previously untouched tomb in the Valley of the Kings in February of 2011, but my health forced me to retire and I’m currently working on translating my autobiography into English.  I really don’t know too many people here, but you’ll definitely catch me wandering around the city with my service dog Meeko.   

[t-aldamiri]

Tereik hadn’t spent much time socializing lately.  He and Kieran were focused on getting Itani acclimated to her new life and they were adjusting to life as parents, so if he wasn’t at work, he was at home with his little family.  He was hesitant to leave his wife and daughter behind, even if it was just for a few hours, but when Eric invited him to attend the festival, Kieran convinced him to go and he was looking forward to spending some time with him outside of work.  He didn’t really know anything about any of the bands that were going to be there, but he preferred outdoor concerts to indoor ones, as the lighting was more natural and his epilepsy was less likely to be triggered here, plus he didn’t have to worry too much about Meeko getting trampled if things got out of hands, since they could escape the crowd fairly easily. 

With Meeko at his side, as always, Tereik took in all the different sites at the festival and he was impressed by all the different things there were to do there, so maybe he wouldn’t get stuck listening to music that was totally foreign to him the entire day, but he was interested to find out what Eric wanted to do.  “Do you have a specific band that you were excited to check out? I recognize some of the names but I don’t know much about any of them.”

@eric-charmant​

[t-aldamiri]

She’d been to a few markets in Cairo, but this one felt special. Maybe it was because she was with her little family, but everything felt brighter and more alive than it had in the past. It reminded her of the markets in New York, only bigger and with more people. Looking around at the other families, Kieran couldn’t wait to introduce Itani to her parents and siblings. The little girl would be so surrounded by love. 

“I’ve been practicing,” she chuckled, kissing him back. Reaching for her daughter, she took her in her arms, inhaling her sweet scent for a moment, then moving towards the toys. “'arnab?” Kieran picked up a stuffed bunny and held it out to Itani, making it dance a little. “Bunny?” she said in English, already picking up the habit. “Or jaru kalib? Puppy dog?” she picked up the other toy.

“You’re amazing,” he said before stepping back to let them go over the toys. He still had to remind himself every few minutes that this was really happening, he finally had the family he’d been dreaming about for so long.  He looked down and scratched Meeko behind her ears, though he knew he really wasn’t supposed to, he was just proud of her for handling this new addition to their family as well as she was.  Explaining to a two year old that there was a dog in their house she wasn’t allowed to pet unless the dog wasn’t working, wasn’t going to be easy and he appreciated that Meeko wasn’t getting too distracted by all the upheavals in their lives right now. 

Turning his attention back to Kieran and Itani who was still trying to decide between the two toys, he stepped closer and made a suggestion, “Daeuna nahsul ealaa klyhima? Why don’t we get both?  It’s a special day.” 

[t-aldamiri]

Kieran’s heart was full, fuller than it had been when Tereik proposed, fuller than it was the day they got married. Everything felt so complete and whole with Itani finally in their arms. Walking through the market with her fingers linked between her husband’s, she couldn’t help but smile. The sun was shining, she had her little family, and they were in the country she’d called home for so long. “I think that’s a good idea!” Kieran nodded. Looking at Itani she tried to remember the Arabic phrase for stuffed animal. “Hayawan mahshi?” she managed, then looked to Tereik for confirmation. Seeing him with their daughter was surreal, how quickly he’d fallen into the father role and how easily Itani had accepted him. She could only hope that as her Arabic improved and Itani got a grasp of English they’d grow closer. But even with the barrier Kieran was completely in love with the little girl.

Tereik remembered coming to this market when he was young, his parents loved all seven of their children, but he’d been pretty special to them as their youngest child and their only son.  If you added his very precarious health at the time into the mix, he probably got more attention than even his oldest sister when she was young.  His parents or grandparents would take him here to people watch and keep him entertained with all the different stalls, and he was thrilled that he and Kieran were in the same place with their daughter.  The only other thing he wanted was for his father to still be alive and to see their family and get to know his granddaughter. 

Smiling, he nodded at her, “Look at you, your Arabic is getting so much better!”  Stepping up to the cart, Tereik set Itani on the ground in front of the toys and let her take in the sight. “Pick whatever you want,” Tereik said, when the two year old looked back at them, clearly not believing that she was actually going to be able to take something home. He gave Kieran a quick kiss, “Why don’t you help her pick something? You two should have your moment now.”  

[t-aldamiri]

After picking up Itani from the orphanage and dropping all their things at his mother’s home, Tereik had suggest take a walk to the small market near the building. The orphanage they’d adopted her from was a highly regarded one, but the kids didn’t have many possessions and he felt like it was okay for them to spoil her a little, since it was such a special day for all of them.  He had Itani in one arm, with Meeko’s leash around his wrist and was holding Kieran’s hand on the other side, it wasn’t a large space, but there were a lot of people milling around and he didn’t want any of them to get separated. 

It shocked him to realize how quickly this all felt right.  He’d been expecting an adjustment period where he’d need to get used to the idea that he was a parent and that this little girl was his daughter, but the second she walked into the room she was his.  She was theirs, and this was better than he ever could have imagined.  

They came to a stop in front of a stall with all kinds of stuffed animals and Tereik couldn’t hold back a smile when he saw how the little girl’s eyes lit up.  “I think now much be a good time to pick out a new friend for the trip home, what do you think, Mama?” he said, nudging Kieran with his elbow.

@k-s-horowitz​

[t-aldamiri]

Wedding present and card from Eric

Inside it reads.

Dearest Tereik and Kieran

Here are some wedding presents for you both, I hope they are ok as I had to get Selene to help as I am terrible at choosing things. I do have another gift to give you guys but will give it to you when I see you. 

All the best

Eric. 

“Thank you so much, Eric, you’re awesome!” 

[t-aldamiri]

Husband,  What do you get the man who has everything and more on the day you’re about to pick up your daughter on a different continent? I thought about a new shirt or a fancy watch, but this is a bit more fun. This was my first time really being in front of the camera, so I hope you like them. I’m so excited to celebrate with you and start our life together with our daughter.  I love you so much,  Your wife 

[t-aldamiri]

Everything was going so well and Kieran could hardly believe it was really real. The music was good and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. Her conversation with a group of people tapered off and she excused herself, spotting Tereik and feeling her heartbeat a little faster. His arm around her was warm and she grinned. “Oh hell yes I do,” she laughed, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ve been trying to get a moment alone with you all night but you’re so popular.”

Tereik hadn’t been as involved with the planning of the reception as he would have liked, but Kieran had doing such an amazing job of putting it all together, and he’d been busy organizing their trip to Egypt, so things were going great.  They would pick her up on Monday, spend the night at his childhood home where his mother was living and then fly back the next day with Itani and start the process of getting her used to her new home and her new family. There was likely going to be a lot of work involved between the language barrier, though Tereik was a native Arabic speaker, he’d likely have to act as a translator between her and Kieran for a while, and the time change would be brutal on a two year old, plus they were strangers to her, taking her to a place she’d never seen before.  It was going to be a struggle at first, but he wasn’t worried about it, he knew it was going to be wonderful. 

He pulled her in closer for a hug and then leaned down to kiss her, not bothering to make any kind of a move toward the statues he mentioned earlier.  This was their party and they were going to make out in the middle of it if they wanted to.  “You’ve been a hard woman to pin down yourself.  You did an amazing job putting this all together, are you happy?” 

[t-aldamiri]

“There's something about you now I can't quite figure out Everything she does is beautiful Everything she does is right

Cause it's you and me and all of the people  with nothing to do nothing to lose And it's you and me and all of the people And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you”

@k-s-horowitz

[t-aldamiri]

Korra was standing near the bar nursing a glass of mimosa and quite frankly wondering if they will throw the bouquet since that has always been her favourite part of a wedding. Well that and the first dance. ¨Oh thank you so much for an amazing evening!¨ Korra smiled at him, ¨And hey I don´t think I said it yet, congratulations, to both of you. You must be so excited!¨ Korra forgot about the drink she was holding, and seemed to not have noticed the drink in Tereik’s hand and hugged him tightly. ¨I’m so happy for you.” Korra beamed letting go of him. “So, I mean I know you´ve been married for a bit now, but how´s it feeling? To be a newlywed?¨

Tereik laughed and returned her hug, “Thanks so much for coming, we’re definitely having a great time so far.  Yeah, we’ve been married for a few weeks but it didn’t feel real until we did this, and I’m so happy.”  Kieran and Tereik had been together for several years, though they’d briefly broken up when he initially moved back to Atlanta, but they got back together when she joined him and he knew he couldn’t let her go again.  They were already used to living together, so that wouldn’t change much, but the two year old they were adopting and leaving to pick up shortly was going to change everything in the best way and he was glad they’d finally been able to announce it to everyone.  “It feels great.  This is the happiest I’ve ever been and I think things are just gonna keep getting better.” 

[t-aldamiri]

When choosing an outfit, Tereik stuck with his signature style: classic and simple.  The cuff links were the ones his father had worn when he married Tereik’s mother, and when he died, he passed them down to Tereik  He was thrilled to have them, not just because they’re a family heirloom, but as his father died before he an Kieran had reconciled, wearing something of his helped Tereik feel like he was there with them.  

@k-s-horowitz

[t-aldamiri]

emmett wasn’t really all that close with tereik but he didn’t have any problems with him or really anyone else in kami’s family, which is one of the many reasons he agreed to join her at the reception. he had liyana in his arms and a smile on his face as he gently bounced the baby on his knee to the beat of the music, his eyes on the woman he’d came here with tonight. he had a grin on his face as he watched her dance, noticing just how much fun she was having tonight and he knew she needed it. he turned his attention to tereik though as he approached him and gave him a nod, “yeah, i guess i spend so much time at kami’s that i’m anything but a stranger to her.” he chuckled and glanced down at the baby. “Where are you getting your daughter from?” he asked, the baby gripping his fingers as he looked back up at him. “i am having a good time. thanks for letting me come. congratulations, by the way.”

Though they’d learned not to bring it up, it was agreed among Tereik and the rest of his family, they’d take anyone over Kami’s former partner, though as far as Tereik knew they weren’t exactly a couple, but that wasn’t important right now.  “She’s a real sweetheart, isn’t she? That’s been one of the best things about moving back her, getting to see all the kids again.  There’s an orphanage in Egypt our father used to support when we lived there and they have a pretty decent number of slightly older kids and we were lucky enough to get placed with a little girl who just turned 2, her name is Itani and we’re really excited about bringing her home and getting her settled in a more stable environment than what she’s had in the past.  We’ve had the whole thing in the works for a while, it’s hard to believe it’s finally happening.”  He watched Liyana for another moment, glad she was feeling safe where she was and thrilled that everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as he was.  “Of course, we’re all really glad you’re here, Kami seems like she’s herself when you’re with her, it’s been a while since that’s happened and I’m glad she’s in good hands with you, she needs a good friend, someone outside the family she can depend on, you know?” 

[t-aldamiri]

Kiara had been to countless weddings before, but she’s rarely rooted for a couple’s happy life together as much as she did for Tereik and Kieran, the latter being a close friend to her. Granted, she didn’t know Tereik all that well and she’d only known him through his now wife, but she was just as blissfully happy to see him as she was to see Kieran. Hazel eyes lighten up when she turns to see Tereik who was undeniably more quiet than most people in the reception. “Tereik, hi! Oh you look great!” She can’t hold the bright big smile she shoots the other, going for a quick hug as a form of greeting. “This place looks beautiful and I’m sure you and Kieran stole all my wedding dream ideas, congratulations! You two deserve a happy and long life together with your daughter, can’t wait to meet her!” She takes a sip of her drink, trying her best to contain how emotional she was beginning to get over the beautiful ceremony and couple.

Tereik was glad that Kieran had friends here in Atlanta, moving there from Egypt had been a huge change for both of them, but it had ended up being the perfect move for their relationship now that everything was finally falling into place.  He couldn’t pretend that he knew Kiara particularly well, but he liked her and he was glad she was there tonight and hugged her back, “Thanks, I’ll be honest, I was glad that Kieran suggested we wear the same thing we wore to the wedding, I have some suits for work, but this is the only thing I have that fits this atmosphere.”  He looked around, “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I don’t get to this part of the museum too often, but it’s much better than having it in my exhibit, and if she did steal it form you, you have amazing taste,” he told her with a laugh.  “We’re so excited, we’ve been communicating with the orphanage quite a bit and they’ve let us FaceTime with her a few times and we’ve got the house all set up, I’m nervous, but I’m thrilled, I can’t believe I’m actually going to be a dad.  I think we’re going to keep things pretty private for a little while, just to help her adjust and get used to us, and to see where her English is, but once she’s settled in I’m sure we’ll be showing her off to everyone we can.” 

[k-s-horowitz]

Order of events:  -Blessing by @preacherwyndham -Dinner (see above) -Speeches by Kieran, @t-aldamiri, and @kami-aldamiri-rn -Cutting the cake (see above) -Dancing and party time! 

[t-aldamiri]

Woody had been one of the few people who knew that Tereik and Kieran were in the process of adopting.  Since he lived with them whenever he needed a place to crash, it would have been impossible to hide the fact that they were suddenly setting up a bedroom for a little girl, and Tereik was glad they’d been able to confide in him.  He knew a lot of people in Atlanta, but Woody was someone he had a particularly strong bond with and if they’d had a traditional wedding, Tereik would have asked him to stand up as his best man, but since they hadn’t, his sister’s son had filled the role during their ceremony in New York.  

The reception was in full swing by this point and while Tereik was having a great time, he didn’t handle crowds or being the center of attention very well and before too long he was looking for a chance to bow out for a few minutes and gather his thoughts.  When he saw Woody, he quickly approached him, “Hey, I’m gonna step out for a smoke, do you want to come with me?”

@woodyanders​

[t-aldamiri]

Since their actual marriage ceremony had been family only, Tereik and Kieran had invited nearly everyone they’d ever met to celebrate at the reception with them, and to announce that they would be bringing the little girl they were adopting home the next week.  Everything had gone very well so far, the museum looked great, the food was delicious, and everyone seemed to be having a good time, which is really all he could have asked for.  

He’d been feeling a little overheated out on the dance floor, so he took a break and with his service dog at his heels, set to catching up with some of the people they’d invited but he hadn’t had time to really talk to yet.  “Mackenzie!” he said when he saw the younger woman, “I’m so glad you were able to make it, are you having a good time?” 

@mackenziexlightwood​

[t-aldamiri]

Though they didn’t know each other particularly well, Tereik liked Emmett a lot, and he was glad that Kami had brought him to the reception.  Tereik had done the best he could to be a father figure to his nephew, who was fulfilling the duties of Best Man tonight, but it was hard when they lived on different continents and Emmett seemed like a really great person to step in and take on that role when he couldn’t.  The two men hadn’t spent much time together, but they were friendly enough that when Tereik saw he’d been corned by a few of his sisters while Kami was on the dance floor with some of the others, he stepped in to rescue him.  

After ushering the women away with a promise he’d come dance with them soon, he turned his attention back to Emmett who was holding a dozing Liyana in his arms.  “She looks very comfortable there with you,” he said with a smile, “I can’t wait to do that our daughter, we’re leaving to go get her on Monday, but it feels like a lifetime away.  I’m glad you were able to come tonight, are you having a good time?” 

@coachemmctt​

[t-aldamiri]

For the most part, Tereik and Kieran had left their religions out of their wedding except for a few little nods here and there, since their families believed totally different things.  That being said, someone had suggested they at least get their union blessed, and after making their announcement about adopting their daughter and that they were going to be bringing her home in just a few days, they decided it would be a good idea.  Since he knew he’d never find someone in his own religion and Kieran didn’t know anyone specifically she wanted from hers, they’d agreed that Nate was the perfect choice, he’d been a good friend to both of them and he was the only person they’d ever considered.  

When all the official parts of the night were done and the dancing was in full swing, Tereik stepped away to grab himself a drink before going back to dancing with everyone who’d come out to celebrate with them and approached Nate on his was to the bar.  “Hey, I’m going to a get drink, want to join me?” 

@preacherwyndham​