Chapter 10
"This looks and sounds like an intervention." Leanne stared at each woman in turn, an amused look on her face.
Things had taken a turn. Ever since that night when she had that blow out with Christos and subsequently admitting that she loved him, there was a different feel to their relationship.
They were more open and had gotten closer.
He had finally agreed that he could trust her enough to take care of herself and the babies she was carrying.
His one concession was that she stayed off her feet as much as possible.
"Let Ms. Bailey do her job. She's been well compensated for just that." And he called to check on her. Frequently. Making sure she ate and took her meds.
It was frustrating and strange. She was so used to taking care of herself that it felt weird that she had someone looking out for her. And wonderful.
He was not the only one. His entire family would just drop in or call. Especially the women.
She was heading into her fifth month now and was cautiously optimistic about the pregnancy. And her babies were moving and breathing. She was having a set of twins and a single. Two boys and a girl. The news had sent everyone into a celebratory mode.
"It is." Lori told her with a grin as she opened the fat book titled 'The Kostas' weddings.'
"So, mother started the tradition and we continued." She opened the folder to the first page. There were handwritten notes in a precise script and signed Mary-Ann McLellan soon to be Mary-Ann Kostas.
Sliding forward, Leanne studied the notes.
"You wrote down every detail. From the time Petros proposed." She turned the pages. "Until the very day of the wedding."
Mary-Ann smiled fondly, eyes dreamy. "I was in my early twenties and knew the minute I saw him that he was going to be mine.
" Pressing a hand to her chest where her heart was beating a little unsteadily, she reminisced.
"He came to the village where I lived with his parents.
They were there for a vacation and I was just leaving the chapel when I saw this handsome dark haired man strolling by.
My heart skipped several beats, and I was never the same. I started the book."
Leanne lifted a brow. "Right then and there?"
The older woman laughed softly. "As soon as I went home. I told my sister that I met the man I was going to marry. No one believed me."
"Did he have a say in it?"
Mary-Ann waved a delicate hand. "None at all. We got married in that same chapel before their vacation ended. It was a simple ceremony."
"How long were they there for?"
"Two weeks." Mary-Ann admitted with a laugh. "It was a whirlwind romance."
"Mine was a bit different." Taking over, Lori skipped the pages. "I had my issues and was certain Andreas would never marry someone like me."
"You were wrong." Mary-Ann placed a hand over hers and squeezed. "And I told you so."
Lori nodded, tears shining in her eyes. "You were very supportive." She looked over at Leanne. "We had a big wedding. Andreas is the first son, and the wedding had to be a big deal. We got married in Greece."
"With all the grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles." Mary-Ann recalled with a laugh. "We both come from big families and when we meet up, it's pure chaos. You'll see."
"If you're trying to frighten me, you're doing an excellent job."
"Nothing to it honey." Lilly piped up. "We got married in Ireland. I am an only child and believe me when I tell you that I was swamped." She leaned forward to turn the pages.
"You all look so beautiful. And thin." Leanne said a little wistfully.
"I got married here in the good old USA." Grace contributed with a smile. "But it was no less hectic. What's your dream wedding?" She asked Leanne who continued to leaf through the pages.
"Ideally, and I never thought of weddings before now. Ideally, I would have loved a beach wedding. Something classy yet simple. Walking barefoot in the silver sand with the sea right there." She shrugged. "But that's not going to be possible. So, a church wedding is the next best thing."
She was so preoccupied with reading the notes in the book that she failed to notice the glances the women exchanged.
She finally looked up. "So. I suppose it's my turn to add my piece to this journey?"
They nodded.
"I started it for me, but then I wanted to record the moment for my daughter.
" Mary-Ann shook her head. "When I discovered that I was having only sons, I figured it could be put aside for my sons' wives.
" Her pleased glance roved over the four women, and she felt a spike of gratitude. "I could never wish for better."
"Thanks." The four women chorused.
"I need to say something." Leanne held up a hand.
"When I first met Christos, I told myself that it was just a fling.
Ill-advised one, and there was the fact that Christos was who he was.
And I never believed in long-term. Then things got heated up and I met his family.
" Her eyes followed them. "I told myself that I did not need or want a family, so I broke it off quickly because of fear. "
Her eyes moistened. "God intervened and I discovered I was pregnant.
That's the best thing that ever happened to me.
Because it showed me how wrong I was. I now have a family, and I don't think you can ever understand what that means to me.
I never had a family before, and I feel so damned blessed to have one now.
And I'm going to blame these tears on raging hormones. "
"So will we." Mary-Ann moved in to hug her, followed by the others.
"You belong to us now."
Leanne laughed shakily. "I'm beginning to realize that and accept it."
"And because you do, we're here to tell you in no uncertain terms that we get to choose our own bridal dresses." Grace told her firmly, making her laugh.
"What? Afraid I'll choose something like puce?"
"Or God forbid, crushed rose." Lori added. "Now let's talk invitations."
*****
"A beach wedding?" Christos had assigned the specific task to the women in the family to try and get a feel of what his fiancée would prefer for her wedding.
"Positive." Mary-Ann beamed at him. "I think it's perfect."
"She's not supposed to travel." He reminded them. They had left his place to come straight to the office to give their report.
"In fact, she can. I spoke to the doctors on my way here and asked Dr. Henderson if it was possible for her and a nurse to travel with us.
" She scooted forward on the chair facing his desk, expression intent.
"We could use one of the smaller cruise ships to transport the entire family and few friends.
Sail to one of the Caribbean islands and have the wedding there.
The Bahamas, Jamaica or even Barbados. She wants white sand and sea.
We checked out some villas in Negril and they're perfect. "
She smiled at her son. "We have the wedding right there on the beach, rent it out for a few days to avoid people wandering and it would be her dream wedding."
"You said you wanted big."
"I want huge." He corrected. "I want to give her everything she ever dreamed of. No expenses spared."
"Darling, I love that and she will too."
"Then it's settled. I want this arranged in the space of three weeks." He glanced at his calendar. "Which will take us into the first week of May."
"A spring wedding." Lori clapped her hands. "Just leave everything to us."
"She must not suspect anything. We'll have her thinking that we're getting married on the ship." A smile touched his lips. "When we make port, she'll know then that she's getting her dream wedding."
*****
"Problem?" he asked, glancing over at her as she sighed.
It was a Saturday and he had decided to cancel his meetings and work from home.
Which had turned out to be a very wise decision indeed as she had been suffering from severe heartburn and constipation.
The housekeeper had come and gone and they were now ensconced in the living room, with the fire crackling in the hearth and the snow coming down steadily outside.
"How do you keep track of all the uncles, aunts and cousins? Not to mention grandparents on both sides who're still alive?" She looked over at him in exasperation. "And we're going to have to invite all of them to the wedding."
"They're all looking forward to it and to meeting you."
She already met both sets of grandparents via video call and was relieved it was over and done with. Now she was going to have to face close to fifty people! Her eyes flew to his face, darkening at his knowing grin.
"This is too much." She started to rub her belly in agitation. "I think we should elope." She stared at him hopefully. "Just hop on the plane and fly to Vegas. We'll explain to them that we just wanted to get it over and done with."
"Now darling." Putting aside his laptop, he rose to join her on the comfortable ruby red sofa. Slinging a hand around her shoulder, he peered at her list. "I suggested that and you mentioned that my mother would skin us alive."
"I love your mother and your brothers and sisters and of course the various children. But this." She waved at the list. "This is taking things too far. Will I be expected to talk to them? Remember their names?"
"Nope." He said cheerfully, drawing her against him. "They love to talk and do not mind if you don't answer. They're perfectly happy to carry on the conversation."
She leaned into him and sighed. "These are all your people. Won't they find it weird that there's no one there for me?"
He heard the wistful tone and felt his heart aching.
Turning her around, he lifted her chin, his expression sober.