"I love you more for it. I don't know how to fully express my emotions. They're so many. It's--" Shaking her head, she gulped in several breaths and felt raw. "I don't know how to tell you."
His expression was unbelievably tender. "You just did." Rising, he sat and took her in his arms. "I cannot wait for you to be my wife."
Pressing her face against his chest, she breathed in his familiar scent. "I already think of you as my husband."
Emotions stormed through him like an erupting geyser, and for a minute, he was unable to speak.
Turning her face upward, he gazed at her with darkened green eyes, the naked passion evident. "That's the nicest thing you could have said to me. I adore you, darling."
"The feeling is completely mutual." She smiled through her tears. "Would it be awkward or weird if we made love right here?"
His eyes grew wide, and his lips trembled with laughter. "I'm sure our daughter would understand."
"Then let's do it." She whispered, her arms going around his neck.
*****
The rush of excitement surrounded them. The week flew by with a swiftness that defied description. She wasn't allowed to do anything much and felt as if she was in the way most of the time.
She wasn't even allowed to pack her own stuff. That had been left to the women. She and Christos had spent the last night before the journey on the private jet to meet the ship at port.
It had been a night filled with excitement, with the children reluctant to go to bed.
Now they were on board the luxurious cruise ship, with mostly family filling every crevice and corner. She had been introduced to so many people; the faces had started to blend into one another.
The Greek side of the family had the beautiful olive skin and dark eyes of their European origins and spoke a combination of English and rapid Greek. The Irish were distinctive with their red or blonde hair and green eyes. The women with their enviable peaches and cream complexions.
Surprisingly, they all seemed to get along well.
After several minutes of trying to make sense of the chaos, she learned to tune out the voices. For the first time, she was happy to use her pregnancy as an excuse to go to their cabin.
"You didn't have to accompany me." She told Christos as he shut the door firmly.
"Are you kidding?" He led her over to the bed near the porthole and took off her shoes. "I was about to suggest that it's time you had a lie down." He grinned up at her as he slid off her shoes. "I felt a headache coming on."
"I would think you're used to all the noise and confusion."
"I am." He massaged her insteps as usual. "But sometimes it can get to be too much. Mother thrives on it."
"I noticed she was in her element. Your grandfather, the one responsible for this--" She patted her bump. "Expressed how very proud of me he was for carrying on the tradition. He kissed me right on the mouth. I think I even felt tongue."
Christos' smile widened. "I should have warned you about Papa Stavros and his brother. They're complete lechers."
"You mean--"
"Hmm." He rose to sit next to her. "They're the typical Greek who believe in spreading the love around. If you'd stayed any longer, they would try and get a hand under your dress." He laughed at the shocked look on her face.
"You're--that's not--What!!!"
"They both tried to get mother into bed. On the day of her wedding."
She shook her head as she stared at him. "You're making that up."
"Hand to God."
"That's nasty."
He grinned at her term. "Not to them. They mean no harm."
