Happy Birthday Hadassah
1015 Words
King Benjamin POV
Tomorrow is my mother's birthday. Its been a year since my father passed. I stood on my balcony and watched as she prayed in the garden. I know this day will be hard for her. Every year for as long as I can remember we would go to Isreal on her birthday. Father would watch how she became so happy to be home.
"Hatach send for Sarah, Raquel and Isaac." I spoke and he quickly obeyed.
Moments later they arrived together. After properly being announced I sent Hatach away.
"I called you all together because we are going to surprise Hadassah." I said.
"With what exactly Benjamin?" Raquel queried.
"A trip to Jerusalem." I answered.
"Why there?" Isaac asked.
"Darling every year on her birthday Xerxes would take her along with us." She responds.
"That's a fabulous idea. She will be pleased." Sarah said clapping her hands excitedly.
"Then its settled. Tell Hegai and Hatach to arrange the liters and Immortals for our depature at sunset." I said dismissing them but my wife stayed.
"Yes dear what is it?" I inquire without facing her.
"Its been so long since you've summoned me. I just want to spend some time with you my love." Sarah said sheepishly.
Turning I embrace her placing a kiss on her forehead. She sighed in contentment. I know its been months since I last held her. Nothing personal, I was in Egypt at the time.
"I'm sorry my love. I promise in Israel you will have Benjamin not a king. How does that sound?" I replied smirking.
She kisses me soundly then saunters out the room. I shake my head chuckling at my beautiful wife.
Later At Sunset........
Hadassah POV
I'm being summoned to the main gate by the king. I wonder what my son is up to. I follow Hegai down the dimly lit corridors and out the palace. I descend the steps as a liter approaches.
"Your Highness, the king has resquested your appearance with him and the rest of the royal family on a trip. I'm to make sure your liter is ready." Hatach said.
"Well where are we going?" I inquire.
"I was sworn to secrecy but please enter your liter." He said smiling.
I entered as requested and the entire procession went through the gates. We soon departed Susa heading east. I had no idea why the whole family was coming. Usually Benjamin and Isaac would go handle matters of state alone.
As we traveled through the night I thought about my trips with Xerxes. We always traveled at night. He liked to watch the sun rise wherever we ended up. It was our thing. Tomorrow is my birthday and for the first time in 25 years I would be celebrating it without my husband. I miss him so much right now.
I was suddenly pulled out my thoughts by faint sounds of music and singing. I could see people dancing in the streets the closer we got to them. We entered through an outer wall before our procession stopped.
One by one we exited our liters. I was mesmerized by the music and dancing. I then noticed that they were singing in Hebrew. I smiled at my people praising God. I suddenly realized...……
"WE ARE IN JERUSALEM!!!!!" I screamed excitedly.
Benjamin came over and hugged my frame lovingly. I was extremely blessed to have a son like him. He remembered our little family tradition.
"Happy Birthday, Hadassah. We honor you with love and wish you with many more years." All of my children and grandchildren said in unison.
"Thank you my loves this means the world to me." I said hugging each one of them.
I joined in on the dancing, thanking the Lord for another year of life and every blessing I have received. This has been the hardest year of my life but he kept me through it all.
"My beautiful and courageous queen." Xerxes said.
"Hello my beloved husband and king." I replied smiling.
"Happy Birthday my love. I wish I could physically spend the day with you but sunrise will have to do. I'm quite proud of Benjamin for bringing you back here. He paid attention to the details of our relationship." He said beaming with pride.
"Yes he is such a sweetheart. All the children are. I wish you were here as well but watching the sunrise is amazing. When we met I was so young now look at me. I'm an old woman." I said giggling.
"You don't look a day older than when we met. Your beauty comes from within as well as the physical. So never call yourself an old woman without adding beautiful." He said.
"Oh Xerxes please. I'm old and so are you. I appreciate the compliment though." I said smiling.
"Darling if I was there we would be spending the early morning hours in my tent. I would show you how old I am then. I still got it my love never forget that." He said smirking.
"How could I forget the early mornings in your tent or bedroom? I lived for those intimate moments with you. Spending the day with you meant more to me than all the riches in the royal treasury. I still fall in love with you daily." I said.
"And I with you my queen. Enjoy your birthday and I will watch from the clouds. I love you Hadassah forever and always." He said.
I smiled looking up at the sky blowing a kiss to the heavens. I knew he received it by the gentle breeze that wrapped around me. I watched as our children and grandchildren danced in Jerusalem's streets. The pride I felt in knowing they were being raised in the ways of the Lord was evident. For generations to come, Persia would experience His favor all because of my obedience. This was a very special birthday indeed.
"Father continue to watch over my children as they grow. Protect and preserve them for their own destinies. Amen." I prayed before joining them.
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