Bee’s mother, Emilia was firmly settled now in her cottage on Orestos. Happier and healthier than she had been for several years, the older woman was fully integrated into island life and a good deal less lonely and bored. She loved living close to her daughter and took great pleasure in Paris, Milo and Eleni running in and out of her house and treating her as an honorary grandmother. Nectarios was a regular visitor to his grandson’s home and a very welcome one. He was thrilled that his fourth great-grandchild was on the way.
‘You’ve made so many arrangements for this party. I don’t want you to tire yourself out,’ Sergios admitted.
The house was full of guests and there was a distant hum, which probably signified the approach of another helicopter ready to drop off more guests.
‘I’ll be fine.’ Bee was wryly amused by the level of his concern, for she had enjoyed a healthy pregnancy that had impinged very little on her usual routine. He was so supportive though, having rigorously attended every medical appointment with her.
Sergios studied the woman he loved and once again worked to suppress his secret fear of the idea of anything ever happening to her. The more he loved her, the more central she became to his world, and the more he worried but the bottom line, the payoff, he had learned, was a level of love and contentment he had never known until she entered his life.
‘I love you, agape mou,’ he murmured gently at the top of the sweeping staircase.
Bee met his stunning dark golden eyes and felt the leap of every sense with happy acceptance. The world they had made together was a safe cocoon for both them and the children. ‘I love you more than I could ever say.’
* * * * *