Chapter 7
"All right folks, please tell me you're ready!" She held up her hands to stop the clamor of voices. "I can't hear you. Are you ready?"
"Yes!" The din reverberated around the packed room.
"That's better, but still. One more time. Are you ready for the show of a lifetime?"
"Yes!"
"Better." Holding up her hand again, Leanne stepped forward, black pants suit with the silver beads etched into the fabric shimmering beneath the glittering chandeliers.
"It's that time of year. We all know what time it is.
" She pointed to a couple all decked out in red and white.
"There's no need to tell you guys what time it is. "
"No!" They shouted, lifting joined hands. "It's time for Cupid to do his job."
"We never did establish Cupid's specific gender.
But that's neither here nor there." She waited until the laughter had subsided.
"We're here to celebrate Valentine's Day and this year the Kostas Princess will be doing it in its usual inimitable style.
We have a musical composed by our own very talented director, Lydia Drummond.
Give it up for her!" She gestured with one hand and waited for the applause to end.
"And of course the dedicated team who put in all the challenging work, including yours truly.
" She waited again. "On a serious note, people, we always bend over backwards to make you all feel welcome.
We're aware that you fork out your hard earned money, okay, some not so hard earned.
" She waited again for the laughter to abate.
"Regardless, it's our duty and privilege to show you the very best of times and we're going to start off with a musical depicting the famous love story by Shakespeare of star crossed lovers. But this one will have a happy ending. Please help me to welcome the talented dancers, The Kostas Troupe!"
"Isn't she a gem?" Benjamin murmured in an awed tone to the silent man standing just outside of the curtains. "I've learned so much from her. I'm her assistant, but let's face it, she's the star of this show. You must be proud."
"Hmm." Christos wished the man would go away and leave him alone. He was watching her closely, for any signs that she was wavering.
"I understand congratulations are in order." Benjamin persisted.
Barely sparing him a glance, Christos lifted one thick dark brow.
"I mean, Leanne told me and of course, she has started showing." Wilting under the man's steady green gaze, he almost cried out in relief when Leanne came walking towards them.
"Darling," Rushing towards her in a swirl of poppy red jacket, he grabbed her hands and pulled her in for a kiss. "You were magnificent."
"Thanks." Her gaze lifted to the man leaning on a cream white column.
"He's a tough nut to crack. Very uncommunicative," Benjamin whispered in an aside.
"Really? I can hardly get him to shut up." She smiled at her assistant's dazzled expression. "You're on for the second act. I need to sit down for a minute."
His expression was one of concern. "Darling, is it the babes? Are you feeling nauseous?"
"A little." She patted his cheek. "I'll be fine."
"You scared poor Benjamin." She murmured as she crossed to him.
"He talks too much." Taking her hands in his, Christos pulled her closer to study her face.
"I feel like I'm under a microscope."
"You are." Letting go of her hand, he lifted her chin. "You look tired."
"I guess the makeup is useless."
"You've been on your feet for more than two hours." He started to scoop her into his arms when she slapped a palm on his chest.
"What the hell are you doing?" She hissed.
"Taking you to the cabin. You need rest."
"I just need to sit for a minute. The show is not over, and I can bloody well walk on my own.
" When he continued to stare at her, expression determined, she turned to pleas.
"Please don't embarrass me like this. I can walk.
We'll use the elevators instead of the stairs.
I just need to get something in my stomach. "
"We can request a meal from the kitchen, and we sit in one of the empty rooms. This is my show and I need to see it to the end."
His hesitation had her holding her breath, until he nodded.
"All right." Taking her hand, he started to lead the way out.
"Thanks."
"You were very good back there. You had the crowd revved up and excited." Pushing the glass doors open, he nodded to a staff, who quickly exited.
"I'm good at my job."
Nudging her onto a comfortable sofa, he went to the phone and spoke quietly before coming back to join her.
"Lie back." He ordered. When she did, he lifted her feet into his lap and took off her shoes. As soon as he started to work on her insteps, she felt like weeping in gratitude.
"That feels so good."
He worked on them some more before transferring to her ankles. A frown touched his brow.
"They're swollen."
Her eyes flew open to meet his.
"A little."
"More than a little." He pressed his thumbs against them, his frown deepening when she winced. "And you're hurting."
"No." She shook her head, heart pounding. "It's just a little tender. Ah! The food. I could eat a cow."
She was saved from his response when the staff came forward with the tray.
"Thanks Maria."
"You're welcome Leanne, Ms. Wilcox." She darted a quick look at the silent man.
"Leanne will do fine."
"You may leave now."
The woman hurried from the room.
"You scared her."
"I'm not concerned about that."
Removing the cover and trying to distract him, she sniffed at the bowl.
"Minestrone soup. It smells divine. And just what I needed.
" Taking up the spoon, she avoided his eyes as she put a dent into the chunky liquid.
Her stomach was roiling and she was calling on all the powers of heaven to allow her to get through this meal.
She knew that if she once showed any signs of illness, he would strongarm her into going to the cabin. And she wanted to see the show through. There was a special ceremony at the end of it that she had orchestrated herself. She was damned if anyone else was going to get the credit.
"Want some?"
"I already ate." Leaning back and stretching his legs out, he continued to watch her like a damn hawk.
"Okay. I see what you're doing here." She gestured with the spoon and swallowed gamely.
"Enlighten me."
Her eyes glittered at his formal tone.
"And you can stop with that arrogant shit. I'm not some awed employee that you can just stare at and have them scurrying. I'm the woman carrying your bloody babies. And in case you've forgotten, I'm also an adult, and not someone who needs a babysitter."
"You insisted on coming here on the cruise like some overprotective daddy and I allowed it." Digging into the bowl again, she scooped up some vegetables and prayed earnestly that it would go down easy. "Now you're pissing me off."
"Noted."
"Go to hell."
"Already there. Finish the meal."
She took a deep breath and resumed her tirade. "I see you get off on telling me what to do. I'm telling you right now, Christos Kostas that I'm going to see that show through and if you try and stop me, so help me God."
"If you finish the meal and do not end up rushing to the facilities, you're clear. Otherwise, it's a no."
Glaring at him, she continued eating and studiously ignored him.
Biting back a smile, he watched as she gamely continued eating until nothing was left inside the bowl.
"Now drink some water."
"Go to..."
"Hell. Yes, you already said that." Picking up the glass, he handed it to her.
She drank it, even though her stomach was protesting.
"May I go now?" Her voice was frosty.
"Of course. Let me get your shoes."
"I can get my own shoes."
Ignoring that, he bent to pick them up and put them on. Taking her hand and holding on when she tried to pull away, he helped her up and kept her hand in his as they went back to the showroom.
The musical was just wrapping up, and Benjamin was announcing her entrance.
Turning her to face him, he tugged at her chin and kissed her roughly.
"I love you. Happy Valentine's Day."
Her only response was a fulminating look before she turned and flounced away.
"Love you too." He muttered, staring at her back.
"All right people. I'm back. Thanks Benjamin. Having a good time so far?"
"Yes!"
"That's great, because we have a special treat for you.
" Her eyes scanned the crowd. "Would Charles and Amy take the stage please?
Ah there you are. Come on up." She waited for them to do so before continuing.
"Okay, so during the process of booking this cruise several months ago, Charles reached out to us and made a very special request. Come on up guys, stand right next to me. Amy, you look puzzled."
The woman nodded her blonde head. "I am."
"The mystery will be revealed momentarily. How long have you two been dating?"
"Forever." Amy piped up dryly.
"All right." Leanne grinned as the laughter erupted. "Charles said you're childhood sweethearts."
"We are."
"Well, he has something very important to ask you. Go ahead Charles."
The man turned towards Amy and took both her hands. "I know I've been wavering when it comes to proposing."
"More like avoiding the issue." Amy retorted.
Instinct had Leanne looking left, her eyes colliding with Christos, who had a knowing grin on his face.
"Well, no longer." He went down on one knee. "Amy Thelwell, will you do me the extreme honor of being my wife?"
"Oh my God!"
"Say yes!" The crowd demanded.
"Oh my God." Dragging her right hand away, she covered her mouth, blue eyes huge.
"Will you?"
"Of course, you moron."
He grinned at her and produced a stunning square cut diamond. As soon as he slid it on, the crowd erupted in cheer.
Leanne waited until Charles got up and then she lifted a hand to quiet the clamor. "It's not over yet. At the last port, we picked up Charles and Amy's parents and a few of their closest friends and Captain Sturgess is about to perform the ceremony."