Chapter 5 #2
She recognized the Hummus, Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as well as the feta doused with olive oil and oregano. There was warm pita, the scent permeating the air and stirring the appetite, and cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
"It all looks so festive," she murmured, nodding her thanks as a plate was handed to her.
"This is just the starter course," Christos whispered in an aside as he tackled his meal. "There are lots more to come."
He did not exaggerate.
Amidst all the chatter and arguments erupting, the women would excuse themselves to go into the kitchen, coming back with loaded trays.
There was chicken and beef souvlaki, marinated in olive oil, garlic and lemon and Greek seasoning, grilled on skewers.
The Moussaka with its rich layers of eggplants, spiced ground lamb and bechamel was a little too rich for her taste and she had to forgo the shrimp saganaki.
The sides were no less delicious. She felt her stomach protesting after she attempted the Greek lemon potatoes and green beans.
By the time dessert rolled around, she was stuffed and uncomfortable, but unable to resist the Baklava.
She was served strong Irish tea, which should have settled her stomach or at least, she prayed it would. But as soon as she took one sip, she was pushing back the chair. The conversations stopped abruptly as everyone turned to look at her.
"Please excuse me. Christos."
He needed no second bidding. Scooping her into his arms, he raced for the powder room towards the right.
"Just let me-"
Before she could finish, he was kneeling with his arms around her as she threw up the meal.
"God, this is so embarrassing," she muttered, leaning back against him weakly. "I thought I could keep it down. I need to rinse my mouth out."
For the first time she took in her surroundings. Despite the soreness of her stomach and how weak she was, she had to admire the room with its elegant cream and gold décor.
Lifting her up, he carted her to the sink and waited while she rinsed.
"Better?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
"I just need to lie down a bit."
"I know just the place."
With her still in his arms, he made his way towards the library.
The room was cozy with a cheerful fire blazing in the hearth.
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling with some comfortable sofas strewn around the rich cream carpet.
He settled against several plump cushions and used tissues to dab at the moisture on her face.
"I suppose they're wondering what's happening," she murmured.
"I have a feeling they already know."
He wiped her face with a gentle hand.
"I'll give mother and my sisters a few minutes-"
He broke off with a grin when the door was pushed open.
"And they are here."
He turned to see his mother bearing a tray.
"Some English tea and crackers," she murmured briskly. "Shoo darling and allow the women to tend to her."
"But-"
"Go."
"We'll take care of her," Lori leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"Go and try and keep Georgios from murdering Alexander. They're playing cards," Grace said briskly, patting his arm.
"We'll call you when and if we need you," Lilly piped up with her serene smile.
He left, but hesitated at the door, until his mother walked over and closed it in his face.
"There."
Clapping her hands together, she placed the tray on a lovely cherry wood table in front of the sofa.
"We were trying to decide if it was the Moussaka or the souvlaki."
Easing up on the cushions, she eyed the four women and wondered if she should have insisted on Christos staying.
"I think it's a combination of everything."
Picking up the cup, more to give her hands something to do than anything else, she took a sip of the tea and tasted lemon and honey.
"I was quite greedy and should have paced myself."
Mary-Ann patted her hand, pleased at her response.
"We love to cook. I'm Irish and married to a Greek."
She waved a hand at her daughters.
"I taught them the art of preparing meals their husbands would appreciate. We have a chef, but taking the weekend for ourselves is a way to be together as a family. We all lead such busy lives that if we're not careful, we miss each other and family comes first. Always."
Leanne felt the lump sticking in her throat at that heartfelt announcement.
The sincerity on the woman's lovely face was unmistakable.
She had witnessed the family dynamics and felt acute envy and the shame of it coursing through her veins.
She never had that. She had a home, parents and nice clothes to wear.
Never let it be said that she had not been treated fairly.
There hadn't been any love. She had never been hugged or encouraged, only lectured.
What she saw here today was so alien to her that it made her feel uncomfortable.
Pretending absorption in the refreshment, she listened to the conversations flowing around her.
Of Lilly laughingly recounting when she decided to give up her modeling and she was as sick as a dog when she was pregnant with both kids.
The other two women recounted similar stories with Mary-Ann shaking her head and recalling that her baby boy had been the worst of them all.
"My Christos kept me going every blessed time of the day. I was constantly heading to the bathroom to throw up or to pee. My hormones were all over the place and my poor darling husband had the brunt of it."
She had been eyeing Leanne and saw the flash of expressions on the girl's beautiful face. The woman had great difficulty hiding her feelings. Making a decision, she rose and took the tray, handing it to Lori.
"Would you give me a moment with the mother to be?"
She asked her daughters quietly.
"And keep that son of mine from bursting through the door."
With encouraging nods and smiles, they left the room and closed the door behind them.
"If you're planning on giving me a pep talk, you might as well save your breath."
Pushing upwards, Leanne started to remove the blanket.
Reaching over, Mary-Ann placed a firm hand on her thigh.
"I just want to talk."
"I love my job and I'm not giving it up."
Mary-Ann nodded, keeping her hand where it was.
"I understand all of that. I've seen you in action and acknowledge you're very good."
She patted Leanne's thigh before sitting back and crossing her arms over her chest.
"I was prepared to hate you."
Leanne's brows lifted in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yes."
The older woman nodded.
"I could see from the very start that my boy was head over heels in love. He had never brought a woman here before."
She waved a hand.
"Not since that girl in high school that he had a crush on. The minute I saw him with you, I knew he was a goner."
A smile touched her lips.
"The Kostas men fall deeply and when they do, the world knows."
Her smile faded.
"I know something of your upbringing. No."
She shook her head when Leanne's eyes started flashing.
"Christos keeps information about you close to his chest. He's very protective. Your mother confronted me on that cruise, the one where we were introduced and she lectured me about loving money more than the Lord. And how I was going to burn in hell for being so materialistic."
Leanne felt her insides quaking in mortification.
"Oh my God."
"Yes. I let her get on for a few minutes, before I told her where she could stick her opinion.
I did not see the need to explain myself to her about the running of our company.
How Kostas Enterprises has been in business, legitimate business for more than a hundred years and how it was started in a little known village in Greece.
I just called her a hypocrite and left it at that. "
Her eyes met Leanne's.
"I figured a woman like that could never produce a child worthy of my son."
"And you're right."
Shoving the blanket off, she rose and felt the room whirling.
Surging to her feet, Mary-Ann grabbed her, just as the door was pushed open.
"What the hell is going on?"
Christos was at her side in seconds, his gaze accusing as he looked at his mother.
"What did you say to her?"
"I'm still your mother and don't need to remind you that respect is due."
She turned to Leanne, her expression softening.
"I wasn't right my dear. You're nothing like that woman."
Turning back to her son, she touched his cheek fondly.
"Take care of your woman. She needs some rest."
Scooping her up, he sat on the sofa with her cradled on his lap.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing."
She certainly did not want to recount that piece of humiliating conversation.
But he wasn't going to let her get away with not telling him.
"I could go and harass my mother into revealing what she said to you, but I would much prefer hearing it from you. Talk to me."
"You're so damn annoying."
"That has already been established. Spill."
"She spoke to my mother."
Dragging her chin away, she stared over his shoulder, expression stony.
"On that cruise where they met. My mother accused her of being greedy and materialistic. A lover of money, among other things. I'm surprised I was not fired."
He turned her to face him, fingers gentle but firm.
"We don't work that way. You would not have been fired for something someone else said. Your employment record speaks for itself. You're not her and it's time you start to believe it."
She refused to cry, even though she desperately wanted to.
"Why are you with me?"
"Easy. I'm head over heels in love and you happen to be carrying my babies. Besides,"
He eased his thumb over her cheek.
"You're growing on me."
She looked at him then and saw the smile curving his lips.
"You're a moron."
"That might be the case."
He touched his lips to hers.
"Come home with me baby. Let me take care of you."
Nodding, she moved into his arms.