A Ring for the Greek's Baby

But then the doctor looked between Loukas and her and, finally settling her gaze on Loukas, smiled again. ‘I’m really happy for you, Loukas. I’m sure you’ll make an excellent father.’

Unlike your own.

The doctor didn’t say it out loud, probably because she was too much of a professional, but the words seemed to hover there in the silence all the same. Emily felt as though she were on stage in a play on opening night, but having been given the wrong script. She didn’t know anything about Loukas other than he was Draco Papandreou’s best friend. She didn’t know what his favourite colour was. She didn’t know what books he liked to read or what movies he watched. She didn’t know what political persuasion he had or anything about his childhood other than his parents had divorced when he was a kid. And she had learned that from Allegra.

‘How long have you been a couple?’ Dr Freeman asked.

There was another beat of silence. ‘We’ve been keeping it a secret for a while,’ Loukas said before she co

uld answer. ‘I met Emily through my best friend from university.’

The doctor smiled again. ‘Ah yes, he got married recently, didn’t he? I read about it in the press. I guess you two will be getting hitched too, now you’re going to be parents?’

‘We don’t—’ Emily began.

‘Yes,’ Loukas said, squeezing Emily’s hand. ‘The plans are already afoot.’

‘Oh, that’s lovely,’ the doctor said. ‘I’m a bit old-fashioned in that way. I reckon kids need to know their parents are committed enough to marry each other. It gives them a sense of security, in my opinion. Now, let me have a look at that finger of yours.’

The doctor examined the wound and ordered an ultrasound to make sure there was no further debris. The machine came in on a portable trolley with a radiology attendant. ‘Just the hand at this stage,’ the doctor said. ‘It’s a little early to see the baby unless we do a vaginal ultrasound. If we weren’t so busy tonight I’d order one for you.’

‘No, that’s okay,’ Emily said. ‘I’ll wait until later.’

The hand was given the all-clear and the radiology staffer wheeled the trolley out. A nurse came in and took blood while the doctor saw to another patient in the next cubicle. There wasn’t enough privacy to talk to Loukas but Emily sent him a speaking look. If he thought he could railroad her into marriage, then he was in for a big surprise.

The doctor came back a short time later with a bottle of iron supplements and an information sheet for maternal health and maternity services. ‘You’re all good to go. Have plenty of rest and try to eat small meals when you can. If the nausea and vomiting increase or become chronic, then see your GP as soon as you can.’ She smiled again at Loukas. ‘You did the right thing, bringing her in. It shows how much you care about her. Believe me, I see all types in here, and the behaviour of some fathers-to-be towards their partner would make your hair fall out.’

‘Thanks for taking care of her,’ Loukas said. ‘I appreciate it.’

* * *

Emily walked out of the hospital with Loukas beside her. ‘I can’t believe you told her we’re getting married,’ she said once they were clear of the busy entrance and on their way to his car. ‘Not only Dr Freeman, but the receptionist as well. Are you nuts? What if they tell someone?’

‘They’re meant to keep patient information confidential,’ he said.

She stopped walking to look up at him. ‘And what about everyone else in that emergency department? What about those women in the waiting room? They recognised you. They took a photo of you. They’ve probably sold it to one of those media sites by now.’

His features gave a tight spasm. ‘If it happens, it happens.’

‘But why say we’re engaged when we’re—’

‘We’re what?’ he said. ‘Virtual strangers? How do you think that would’ve made you look?’

Emily blinked. ‘Oh...’

‘Exactly.’ He let out a short breath. ‘You’ve come out of a long-term relationship only to get pregnant after a one-night stand. It’s not fair, but women still get frowned on for stuff like that. I figured it was best to let Dr Freeman think we’ve known each other for a while and were planning to marry.’

Emily could see his point and was unexpectedly touched he’d considered the impact on her reputation. But she suspected his motives were not entirely about protecting her reputation. Loukas wanted to marry her and was refusing to take no for an answer. She hadn’t taken him for a my-way-or-the-highway guy, but then she was hardly an expert when it came to reading men. She had been with Daniel for seven years and had never once suspected he was interested in men instead.

Once they were inside Loukas’s car and on their way, she swivelled in her seat to look at him. ‘So, what was the business with your father those women in the waiting room spoke of?’

His mouth tightened as if invisible stitches were being tugged from inside his jaw. ‘Nothing.’

‘It can’t have been nothing if those strangers know about it,’ Emily said. ‘And Dr Freeman didn’t say anything but I could read the subtext. Don’t you think I should know too, since I’m now apparently—’ she made air quotes with her fingers ‘—engaged to you?’

He blew out another breath, longer this time, and his hands gripped the steering wheel firmly, as if he was worried it was going to be snatched away from him. ‘He got a partner pregnant earlier this year. She was nineteen years old. He insisted she have an abortion and when she refused he dumped her.’ His knuckles and tendons showed white through the tan of his skin. ‘She tried to kill herself by slashing her wrists soon after. Someone found her in time but not in time to save the baby. There was too much blood loss. She miscarried on the way to hospital.’

‘Oh, that’s terrible...’