Unexpected Love

Karaoke and Surprises

Author's note:

I so loved writing that last chapter! I hope you recognized the thread of EK quotes throughout it and enjoyed discovering those as much as I enjoyed weaving them into my story!

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Leaving the cafe with his arm snugly around Sanem's shoulders, Can led them out into the street, waving to the crowd in the cafe who had just been given quite a show.

Can! I'm so embarrassed! she said.

I'm not..and leaned in for another quick kiss, Can said with a smile. I want the world to know you're mine.

Cancel everything you have the next few days, cara mia. I'm not letting you out of my sight, he told her while looking at her such intensity, she thought she would melt right there on the sidewalk.

They walked to a nearby place to eat, knowing they couldn't eat at the cafe after that spectacle. They talked for hours, about Spain, Africa, what they had felt while they were apart. Can never took his hands off of her. They were either in her hair, intertwined with her hands, around her shoulders as if he were afraid she would disappear.

Sanem told him about the conversations with her parents, especially her Dad.

He said that? Can asked. That he would give his blessings for us to be together? Sanem, that is the best thing you could've told me today. I was so afraid of how he acted towards me. What about your Mom?

Pfft..you had her eating out of your hands from the day you met her. Your charm was in overdrive that night. She had no defense against it! Sanem joked.

And what about you, my love? Are you defenseless against my many charms, he said wagging his eyebrows.

Laughing she answered, I don't want to defend myself from them. Kissing him again, she realized that she finally felt free. Free to love this man fully and give her heart away to him with no fear. All doubt was gone. She knew she couldn't live without him.

A few days later while walking along the coastline, Sanem asked Can about some of his humanitarian projects that she had read about.

Can answered, Tahir, Mehmet and I have been dreaming about creating a charity for young people that would give assistance to teens and their mental health. They have the name picked, Can Yaman for Children. I didn't agree at first but the idea of using my fame to create fund raising opportunities so that organizations and corporations could sponsor projects around Italy is something we would love to pursue.

Fame was not what Can had in mind when he started photography nor was it an end goal. He wanted to make a difference in the world around him and bring attention when people of less fortunate means needed help. When his photographs got a lot of attention over the years, he wanted to leverage his fame to do even bigger things.

Can, that sounds amazing and I'd love to be a part of it once it's organized. I could help with advertising and publishing as needed, Sanem said with a look of excitement.

Looking down at her with appreciation, Can thanked her and kissed her on her nose. You're wonderful, Sanem. Thank you. He showed her some of the pictures he had taken in some of his other charitable endeavors.