The house was a sprawling ranch-type property that stretched for several acres and had ten suites as well as cottages for the live-in help. The household staff had been given the Sunday off which meant that the women, including his mother and sisters-in-law, had done the cooking.
"We need to know what's going on." She handed him the plate and pinned him with her green gaze.
"After we finish eating and the children are elsewhere."
She gave him a concerned look.
"No," he shook his head. "It's fine. Let's just have the meal and then I tell you my news."
Without waiting for her response, he turned to Alexander's three-year-old daughter, Iris, and scooped her up. "Hey there, princess."
He had barely sat down when the others drifted over. Five-year-old Lucas, Alexander and Grace's son with his mass of dense dark hair, climbed up, begging for attention. Followed by Georgios' two, Ophelia, three years old and Theo only a year old and was just learning to walk.
Very soon he was surrounded and loving every minute of it. He enjoyed his nieces and nephews, spoiling them rotten. Now he was going to be having three (please God) of his own to spoil.
The conversations resumed, ranging from politics to religion and invariably leading back to the business. A heated discussion was going on between Andreas and Alexander about the viability of purchasing another jet for the business.
Leaving them to it, Christos was contented to be surrounded by the younger members of the family and his brothers' wives who came over to check on the children and greet him with a kiss.
*****
His mother bustled back into the dining room where the plates had been cleared and the second rounds of coffee were being poured, a purposeful look on her lovely face.
"The children are settled in the playroom, with Dimitri in charge. What's the news?"
"You get right to the meat of the matter as usual." Christos cradled the coffee cup between his palms as he smiled at her.
Looking around the room, he felt the contentment stealing over him as he took in his family. His brothers were flanking him while their wives were curled on arms of their chairs.
"We went to the Rosewood Clinic."
His father nodded. "A very good place. Your mother and sisters have been raising money for various researches."
"The doctors are very grateful."
"Why don't we get to the point?" Andreas spoke up impatiently.
Taking a deep breath, Christos rose and went to refresh his cup before turning to face them.
"We're having triplets."
The look of avid interest turned into stunned shock as they continued to stare at him.
"Triplets?" his mother was the first to recover. "As in three babies?"
"Yes." He grinned wryly. "Last I recall, that's what triplets mean."
"Oh my good Lord." Mary-Ann clapped a hand at her throat, her eyes wide. "Your grandfather."
"I know."
Suddenly the room burst into noise as everyone started talking at once.
"Quiet!" Always the commanding voice in the family, Mary-Ann issued the command that had everyone getting silent. "How's she doing? The mother."
"Not well." Putting down his still-full cup, he rubbed his hands at the back of his neck. "She cried."
"Of course she did." Lori piped up, blue eyes wide with concern. "What woman wouldn't be after that kind of news."
