Chapter 2
She was waiting for him in the parking lot of the ultra-modern clinic. At this time of the morning, the lot was empty, which was precisely why she had settled for such an early appointment.
Last night after he left, she had had a hell of a conversation with herself and was determined that no matter what, she was going to be a reasonable sane human being.
Not one controlled by her raging hormones.
She had also reminded herself that she had entered into the relationship of her own free will and had enjoyed every minute of it.
Christos was charming, handsome and very articulate.
The problem had been the fact that they were from two different worlds and how intimidating his family was. Also, if things went to hell, she could lose her job. A job she loved and one that paid very well.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the car door open as soon as he came to a stop. She was not over him, she thought in despair. All that talk about moving on was pure BS. Her heart did the familiar slow dive as she watched him make his way towards her.
The thick black sweater clung to his lean muscular frame, reminding her what it felt like to be held by him. He was an extraordinary lover, another scary part of their relationship for her. It had been too intense. Too powerful.
The stiff icy breeze ruffled his thick dark hair and sent his black cashmere jacket flopping around him.
"Hi." Dark green eyes searched her face for any signs of distress and was secretly relieved when he found none. "How are you?"
"I had some tea and toast this morning." Tugging on her gloves, she fell into step with him as they made their way towards the brick and glass building. "Hoping for the best."
He wanted to hold her hand but wasn't certain the gesture would be appreciated. They were making some sort of headway, and he did not want to jinx it.
Moving ahead of her, he pushed the door open, holding it for her to enter. The lobby was chic and elegant, with several comfortable chairs and sofas strewn around the hunter green carpeted floor. A large flat screen TV murmured in the background.
There was only a very pregnant woman seated in one of the sofas and leafing through a magazine. She barely gave them a glance before going back to the magazine.
"Hi." The cheerful looking brunette at the window glanced first at Leanne before sliding a very appreciative look at Christos, her gaze lingering.
"I'm here for an appointment." Leanne's impatient voice brought the woman's gaze back to her. "Leanne Wilcox."
"Of course." She tapped on her keyboard. "Dr. Henderson will see you in a few minutes." She turned her admiring gaze back at Christos. "Mr. Kostas," she gushed, "I just want to say that my friends and I have been on one of your cruise ships and enjoyed every bit of the excellent service."
"I'm very happy for that. We live to please." He could feel the resentment vibrating off the woman next to him and was perversely hoping it was jealousy.
"We're planning on--"
Before she could continue, the door to the left opened and a matronly woman peeped her head out. "Ms. Wilcox? The doctor will see you now."
"Please excuse us." Christos gave the receptionist a polite smile that had her sighing.
"I'm pretty sure you could ask for her number when we're leaving." Leanne said in an undertone as they followed the woman down the hall.
"I'm sure you're right." Taking her hand, he resisted her effort to pull away. "Jealous?"
"Just disgusted."
With a smile curving his lips, he ushered her into the room.
The doctor, a homely looking woman with tidy gray streaked black hair styled at the back of her neck, rose with a smile.
"I recognize you of course. Your family has been generous benefactors of our research department."
"My mother and sisters-in-law are the ones responsible for that side of it."
"We're very grateful." She trained her calm and serene gray eyes on Leanne. "Why don't we start with the examination, Ms. Wilcox. You stated in your call that you were experiencing acute nausea."
"Yes."
"Why don't I pull the screen shut so you can undress?"
Dragging her hand away and telling herself there was absolutely nothing to fear, she stepped behind the screen and took off her clothes to don the hospital gown.
"I'm ready."
The doctor stepped forward. Sitting on a stool with castors, she took some vitals.
"Your blood pressure is a little high."
"Is that a need for concern?"
Dr. Henderson looked up at Christos and shook her head. "Not enough for a panic. I'm going to run some tests, take some urine and do an ultrasound."
*****
"Is something wrong?"
They had been in the examination room for the past half hour, and several tests had been run. When the doctor called in another colleague, Leanne figured it was time to start panicking.
"This is Dr. Friedmann and he's more of an expert on this sort of thing than I am."
"What does that mean?" Christos eased away from the wall, a frown marring his brow. He too had been getting anxious. "What sort of thing?"
"We did the ultrasound twice to make certain." Dr. Henderson looked from one to the other, her gaze settling back on Leanne. "We wanted to make sure."
"About what?"
"Were you going through IVF?"
Leanne shook her head. "Of course not. Why?"
"By all indications, you're carrying multiples."
"I'm sorry." She stared at the woman. "Multiples?"
"We are hearing three heartbeats."
The silence in the room was punctuated by the beeping of the machine and Leanne's escalated breathing.
"That's not possible."
"We did the tests--"
"Then do it again! There's no way I could be carrying triplets. I'm not going through IVF, and I certainly do not have triplets in my family. I'm an only child and so were my parents. If there were triplets in my family, I would know."
"Actually--" All eyes swiveled to the man standing by the door.
Christos had the absurd notion of being pinned to the wall. "My paternal grandfather is a part of a triplet." Avoiding the accusatory look in Leanne's mahogany eyes, he focused on the doctors. "I recall my parents joking that one of their children were bound to carry it on."
"Of course," the female doctor nodded in understanding. "It naturally skipped a generation."
"I'm carrying triplets." Leanne wanted to laugh at the irony of it all.
She had never given a thought to having children, at least not right now, and now she was pregnant with three.
The rousing pep talk she had given herself this morning was completely forgotten. "What are the risks?" she demanded.
"There are several. We will work closely--"
She cut off the woman abruptly. "I need to know the risks."
"Leanne--" Her fiery gaze stopped him in his tracks.
"Doctors?"
Dr. Henderson cleared her throat. "Preeclampsia or gestational high blood pressure as well as gestational diabetes. There's also premature birth."
"You did not mention the fact that one or all of the babies could end up dying. Not to mention the risk to my life."
Christos felt the initial excitement dying a slow death inside him at that. His gaze pinned the doctors. "Is that true?"
"We will certainly work closely with Ms. Wilcox to ensure that she and the fetuses are safe." Dr. Friedmann spoke for the first time, his German accent just a whisper. "We're very good at what we do and our reputation in guiding multiple births is guaranteed."
He walked over to perch on the side of the cot, his florid face softened as he took Leanne's hand in his large one.
"I know this is a scary time for you, but I give you my word that we will be taking the very best care of you.
" He looked over at Christos. "That is of course, if you're planning on staying with us. "
Feeling a little steadier by the man's word and his gentle touch, Leanne nodded.
"Of course, I'm staying. There's something else I need to ask.
" She looked over at Christos before averting her gaze.
"Is there a possibility--" She took a deep breath.
"What if I don't want to -- to -- carry the pregnancy? "
She heard his indrawn breath but did not look at him. "I'm not saying I don't want to, but what if I decide that I want to -- you know--"
"Terminate the pregnancy?"
Leanne nodded at Dr. Friedmann.
"It would be doable, but certainly risky."
"Could you give us a minute?" The cold authoritative command was not questioned.
Giving her hand a squeeze, Dr. Friedmann rose and headed towards the door with Dr. Henderson following.
"Don't start with me." Leanne began, refusing to feel guilty.
"Are you really planning on terminating the pregnancy?" He stood where he was, not certain he would not do something he would regret if he got any closer.
"Did you hear!" She hissed. "Three babies Christos. Three!" She held up three fingers. "Bad enough carrying one, but three. I'm going to be sick as a dog the entire time and there will forever be risks. I'm going to blow up like a balloon and what if one or two of them died? What then?"
"You're borrowing trouble--"
"Damn you! You're not the one who will be going through the worry, the raging hormones, not to mention the hypertension and diabetes.
I will be practically bed ridden. And I can forget about working.
There's no way I can be up and about doing what I do, going through the hectic pace while carrying multiples. I will be out of work."
"Only until you have the babies." He moved then, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed. "I have money. My family have the resources capable of getting you the best care. Doctors who can come and do home visits. A nurse if you want one -- anything."
He took her hand, lacing their fingers. "And I promise I will be there every step of the way."
"That's not enough. You don't understand, I'm scared down to my bone. Three babies--" She shook her head. "I cannot do this, I -- I need to go home and just go to bed. I'm not feeling well. I-- I have to go home."