Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (9 page)

“Wow, you sound so pleased with the results. Congratulations.
We’ll watch your interviews together when they air.”

“I’d love that.”

Roxanne closed her eyes, picturing herself in the Florida
condo living room. Snuggled in Greg’s arms, she’d explain the behind-the-scene
details and he’d congratulate her with a scorching kiss. Her pulse accelerated.
She clutched her phone and forced herself to breathe slowly.

“What’s going on with your friends?”

“Leila talked to her parents about the baby. She said her
mother couldn’t stop crying from joy and blessing God. Uncle Elias is getting
better after four days on his medicines. He received a medical visa for France
as a patient in need of urgent care and his wife is going with him as a
traveling companion. His local doctor came to check his heart and is pleased
with the improvement. They should leave today or tomorrow. Unfortunately, the
French embassy refused to give Leila and her nephew a companionship visa. We
have to find a different solution for them.”

“Can they come to the States as tourists?”

“Probably. I’ll ask one of the high-ranking colonels if he
can drop a good word to expedite their visas for the U.S.”

At the other end of the line, Greg huffed. “Another headache
for you. But I hope you’ll be leaving in a couple of days as planned.”

“I hope so too. My ticket is for the twelfth. Don’t worry
we’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day together.” She crossed her fingers, hoping that
things went smoothly for the senior Diabs and for Leila and the little boy.

“Roxanne, you’ve been running around too much. Don’t exhaust
yourself, please. And stop worrying about others. You have a long trip ahead of
you.” His concern enveloped her with warmth.

“I’m done with work, Greg. I will take it easy until I leave
and...Aw...” Her hand flew to her stomach and she froze.

“What? What’s going on? Roxanne? Darling, talk to me.”

“I think I felt the baby move. A light flutter. And a second
one.”

“You’re three months along. Starting the fourth. Too early
yet. You shouldn’t... Lie down for a moment. Go ahead and put a flat hand on
the place where you’re feeling the spasm.”

“Okay, I’m on my bed.”

“Do you feel anything?”

“No, it’s gone.”

“Listen to me Roxanne. Don’t do anything strenuous today.
Take it easy. If you feel anything again, call me right away.”

“I’m fine, Greg. I’m really good. Stop worrying.” She
checked her watch. “I have to go. Uncle Elias wants to see me before they
leave.”

“Call me from there, please. I’m eager to hear the latest
news. And Roxanne...”

“Yes?”

“You can’t believe how much I miss you, darling.”

“I miss you, too, Greg. More than you can imagine. I’ll see
you in a few days.”

“I won’t let you out of my arms.” His voice vibrated with so
much passion. Happy tingles spread all over her body.

“Yes, yes. Bye, Greg.”
I love you, Greg.
She couldn’t
wait to see him and say the words loud and clear.

Her phone chimed. It was Steve announcing her escort team
was here. She joined him in the lobby and they sauntered to the Jeep where
Brian and Joe waited for her. Half an hour later, Steve followed her up the
stairs to her friends’ apartment. Remembering Greg’s advice to take it easy
today, she climbed the steps slowly, pausing to rest on every landing.

“Hurry up,” Steve urged. “We don’t have all day.”

“Why are you coming all the way upstairs, if you’re in a rush?”
He was really taking his protector’s role too seriously. He could have gone
with the two others and come back when she called him. Unless...

Steve knocked three times, two fast raps followed by a
pause, and then a third louder bang. Was it a signal? The door opened and Leila
threw her arms around his neck.

Good God, what was going on here?

Her jaws sagging, Roxanne stared at the most blazing kiss
she’d ever witnessed. “You sure don’t waste time, you jerk. Are you crazy?
Playing with my friend’s feelings.”

“Not playing, Roxanne. Never.” He finally released a beaming
Leila.

“Well, what do you call that kiss? I just introduced you to
Leila four days ago. And now—”

“Don’t be shocked, Roxy,” the young woman said. “Steve came
for supper every night after he finished his work.”

“No kidding, Steve. You dumped me at the hotel and came
here?”

“It’s not like that,” he protested. “Just come inside and
we’ll explain.” The man acted as if he were part of the household, inviting her
in.

Roxanne felt like a big sister, trying to protect a naive
girl from an unscrupulous womanizer. But this was her colleague and friend, and
Leila was no naive girl. At twenty-three, she’d already seen her share of
miseries.

“
Baba
is in the living room. Don’t let him wait. We
will explain later.” Leila tugged at her hand, but Roxanne kept turning and
scowling at Steve who didn’t seem to care.

“Hello Roxanne.” Elegant in a gray suit and black shirt
adorned with a pearl necklace, Marie Diab opened her arms. “Come in,
ya
benty
. Come in, daughter.” Aunt Marie hugged her. And then hugged Steve.

“How are you doing, Aunt Marie? Ready for the big trip?”
Steve held the older woman’s hand and offered her his biggest smile. “My
friends are waiting downstairs. We’ll leave for the airport in an hour.”

“
Ya habiby
, my dear Steve, I don’t know how to thank
you.” She turned toward Roxanne. “After the men drove you to the hotel four
days ago, Steve called to inquire about Elias’ health and ask if we needed
anything. He returned the same night with bread and milk for Michael. Of
course, I kept him for dinner. The dear boy loves my cooking. He’s been here
every evening.”

The
dear boy
winked at Roxanne. “Don’t have bad
thoughts, Roxy.” He raised both hands. “It’s all innocent and honest between
Leila and me.” He wrapped an arm around their friend’s waist. “She’s the most
wonderful girl I’ve ever met.”

“Whatever.” Roxanne shrugged and smiled. “It seems I missed
a lot.” She turned to Marie. “Do you need help with the suitcases?”

“Oh no. Our luggage is ready. Steve and Leila filled four
big suitcases last night. The winter is harsh in France and we have no idea if
we will be back home soon or stay there for some time. So we packed a lot of
heavy clothes and some valuables.”

“I see.” She didn’t really see anything, but gave up trying
to understand how Leila had managed to twist the confirmed bachelor around her
little finger in a few days. Maybe she should ask her for some advice. Roxanne
left them and sauntered into the living room to see Leila’s father.

“Good evening, Uncle Elias.” She walked straight to the
armchair where the old man sat.

Dressed in a dark suit, too loose on him, Elias Diab stood.
“Roxanne,
habibty
. God bless you.” He kissed her on the forehead and
slumped back into his chair. “Have a seat, my dear child.” Roxanne settled on
the sofa next to Marie. “Thank you for this big joy. A child of Nabil is the
most precious gift for us.” He sniffled, fighting to rein in his emotion. “You
are such a beautiful woman. Of course, my poor son couldn’t resist his passion.
He was a virile man. It was normal.” The old man’s voice oozed with pride and a
weary smile trembled on his lips.

A weight lifted from Roxanne’s shoulders. Uncle Elias didn’t
resent her or his son. A heavy sigh escaped her. She shoved her hand into the
pocket of her pants ready to call Greg and announce the good news. Finally, she
was free. Free from her guilt. Free to live and love.

“But now we have a big problem,” Elias said.

“Huh?”
No, no more problems, please
. She frantically
shook her head.

“My son left you with child. We have to make up for his
moment of craziness.”

She raised a palm to prevent Elias from saying more. “It was
my mistake as much as his. My responsibility too. And I’ll take care of my
baby.”

“But, daughter, it’s not fair for you and for the baby. A
child needs to have a father at his birth. A man who will give him his surname
and protect him.” Roxanne had trouble digesting their Middle Eastern logic.

“I don’t need—”

“Unfortunately, my nephews are all married,” Elias continued
without paying attention to her interruption. “But Marie thought about her
cousin’s son, Samir. A nice young man in his late twenties. I am sure he would
be delighted to marry you right away.”

“I... I... Aw.” A strange needle-like sensation pricked her
side. Sharp, almost painful. She flattened her hand on the area and gritted her
teeth. “I have no intention of getting married.” Her voice came in a hiss.

“Excuse me?” Uncle Elias shouted and his face turned purple.
“My grandson cannot be born a bastard.”

“Elias, don’t get upset. Think of your heart,” Marie rushed
to her husband. “Steve, Leila, get him a glass of water and his pill.”

This was turning into a nightmare. Roxanne inhaled and
counted to ten. The pain in her side subsided. Thank God. She’d better calm
down if she didn’t want to have the old man’s death on her conscience too.

“Dear Uncle Elias, I meant to say, I can’t marry a man I
don’t know just to save appearances. I’m going back to my country where people
are not as strict about propriety rules as they are in the Middle East.”

“Roxanne is too shy to admit she has someone in mind,” Leila
said from the door, with a big smile. “A very nice man. Her own doctor.”

“Really?” Marie answered with relief. “Why didn’t you say
so,
ya habibty
, my dear.”

“She met him at her sister’s wedding,” Leila recited at
double speed before anyone could interrupt her. “He’s a colleague of her
brother-in-law. He helped her when she was crying after receiving the sad news.
He knows about the baby. Right, Roxy?”

“Yes, but—”

“I talked to Greg on the phone,” Leila cut in. “And he asked
me to make sure Roxanne doesn’t exhaust herself. He even gave me his phone
number.”

“Oh, but—”

“So everything is settled for the baby. Roxy told me that if
it’s a boy, his first name will be her father’s name and his middle name will
be Nabil. Right, Roxy?”

Huh
,
when had she ever mentioned baby names?
“Yes, yes.” Roxanne gave up on a useless discussion. Leila was determined to
save her from a crazy match with a cousin and protect her father’s health at
the same time.

“Roxy told me,” Steve added with a crooked smile, “that she
and Greg plan to announce their engagement as soon as she returns home.” He
burst out laughing. “Right, Roxy?”

She darted a killing look at Steve. “You, my man, wait
until—” She clenched her hands at her sides to avoid punching his devilish
grin.

“We better leave for the airport now,” Marie suggested.
“Roxy dear, please take Leila and Michael with you to the hotel. It’s too
dangerous for a young girl and a child to be alone in an apartment.”

“I’ll take them with me tonight. I’m sure Steve will be
happy to come back and escort us.”

“Definitely,” the wily man said.

“And Roxanne,” Elias added. “We count on you to wait for
their visas to be ready and take Leila and Michael with you to the States. I
will send money to Leila as soon as you arrive there.” The man stood. His wife
and daughter held his arms to help him walk.

“Money is not an issue, but I have to be there before
February 14th.”

“Ah Valentine’s Day.” Steve smirked. “Didn’t I tell you this
young woman is in love?”

“
Dear
Steve, you better move heaven and earth to get
these visas ready. Otherwise I won’t give you permission to see Leila. I’m
responsible for her now. Propriety and all that. Understand?” She squinted at
him

Steve’s grin faded. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me. If I’m not leaving on time, I don’t see why I’ll
care about your feelings.”

“Okay, I’ll call Lou. And I’ll ask a colonel to visit our
embassy with me. Now we have to leave.” He punched a number on his phone. “Hey,
Brian. Both of you, come upstairs.”

Roxanne watched the three hunks carry the heavy luggage down
the stairs.

Marie sobbed as she hugged her daughter and overwhelmed her
with recommendations. “I never thought I would leave you behind,
ya habibty.
Take care of yourself and Michael. Don’t go out alone. Both of you stay
with Roxy and Steve.” She kissed the little boy and squeezed him against her
until he cried too.

“Uncle Elias should not go down the stairs. It’s too tiring
for him,” Steve declared.

Bemused, the old man looked at them. “But I have to go to
the airport.”

Steve brought a chair from the living room. “Sit here, Uncle
Elias. These big men will carry your chair.”

“You are amazing, Steve.” Elias chuckled. “I know you will take
good care of my daughter. Stop crying, Marie. Trust these children and let’s
go.”

Steve held Marie’s arm and ordered, “Leila, lock the door
behind us and don’t open to anyone. We’ll be back soon.”

As soon as Leila turned the lock and lowered a metal bar to
secure the door, Roxanne punched Greg’s number into her phone. She had so many
things to tell him, but for nothing in the world would she relate the part
about Elias asking her to marry before delivering her baby.

Greg’s recorded voice answered. “Leave a message, please,
and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” He must be in Delivery.

“I’ll make coffee if you can hold Michael and comfort him.”

Roxanne sat on the sofa and opened her arms. “Come, buddy,
come to Aunt Roxy. We’ll play with your train.” Still sobbing, the little boy
climbed onto her lap. She turned on the switch of the toy and the train chugged
on the cocktail table.

Michael clapped hands and repeated, “Tchouk, tchouk...” She
hugged the little boy and pictured her own son playing with a similar train.