“What do you mean?”
“A carrot wouldn’t have worked. There’s no incentive big enough to entice your brother into your role. He’s very happy being second in command.”
Alexandros shrugged. “If he didn’t want to take over, I was going to sell the company.”
“What?” Polly sat up and stared down at her too-relaxed husband. “You can’t do that. That company is your father’s legacy and his father before him.”
“Yes, but the legacy I want to build requires you by my side.”
“I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“And now we know you never will, but more importantly, we know that you will be happy staying.”
He got so focused when he had a goal. And now she realized she was his ultimate goal. “I love you so much, Andros, but sometimes you scare me.”
“You have nothing to fear from me.”
“No, but I think I’ll have to watch out you aren’t sacrificing your own happiness for mine going forward.”
“I would be honored for you to watch out for my happiness.”
Then they were kissing again and whispering more words of love and making promises that lovers make.
EPILOGUE
THEIR SON WAS born a week early and they named him Theodore Robert for his grandfathers.
Polly’s mother and father were there and she’d relented at the last minute, calling her mother-in-law when she’d gone into labor and inviting her to the hospital.
Athena had sent Polly a very moving letter of apology beforehand. They’d spoken on the phone a few times, short conversations, but entirely void of the former veiled insults and implications Polly should be doing this, that and the other, differently.
Alexandros had started having lunch with his mother once a week, but never pressured Polly to join him.
His sister hadn’t shifted her attitudes at all and therefor had no place in her brother’s life. By his choice, not Polly’s suggestion.
Maybe one day Stacia would grow up and think of someone else’s point of view, but until then, Polly didn’t have to deal with the younger woman’s poisonous words.
Alexandros never dismissed Polly’s opinions now, especially when it came to family life. When they disagreed, they talked. Sometimes, they argued. Heatedly. They were both passionate people. Making up was fun.
And Polly’s mom remarked that her daughter was definitely more her headstrong and passionate self than she had been in a long time.
Eight weeks after the birth of their son, Alexandros took Polly on a second honeymoon. They toured the islands on a yacht big enough to accommodate their children, the nursemaids and security. But no one else.
It was a glorious trip, but Polly loved coming home because this time, the honeymoon didn’t end with stepping back in Athens.
Her attentive husband continued being loving and wonderful amidst everyday life.
Coming next month
PRIDE & THE ITALIAN’S PROPOSAL
Kate Hewitt
‘I judge on what I see,’ Fausto allowed as he captured her queen easily. She looked unfazed by the move, as if she’d expected it, although to Fausto’s eye it had seemed a most inexpert choice. ‘Doesn’t everyone do the same?’
‘Some people are more accepting than others.’
‘Is that a criticism?’