Home to Hellas (The Challenge Series) (11 page)

A green cab approached. Jenn stood, wincing at the mild ache in her knee. The sports doctor at the university had commented on the light swelling, but swore it looked healthy. If she wanted an in-depth check, she’d have to go to the clinic, and that wasn’t happening.

“Hello there.” The young driver jumped out and helped load up her suitcase, even holding the door open. “Climb on in. You’re headed to the airport?”

She stepped in and buckled up as he ran around back to his seat.

“Yes, airport, please.”

“Sure,” he said. “Where ya headed?”

“Greece.”

“No way. That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe, but yeah, like that’s going to happen on a cabbie’s wage.”

“Well, you keep opening doors and being kind and I’m sure you’ll have tips to your ears before you know it.” She watched the familiar neighborhood pass by.

She had good memories, lots of them. She didn’t have the means or desire to make new ones in the area. Her future waited in Hellas with a man who was angry at her, a housekeeper who bossed her, and two women who treated her like family.

“What’s your name?” she asked as they approached downtown.

“Charlie.”

“Charlie, I need to make a stop. Would you mind? I mean, I’ll pay whatever you need. I’m not in a rush to get to the airport, and I don’t think it should take long.”

“Sure. It’s a Tuesday—usually a wash. Where to?”

***

She’d sworn never to step into a hospital again, not unless she was bleeding to death and couldn’t sew herself up, but the second she passed the sign on the highway, she’d known she hadn’t finished everything.

She’d thought for sure she’d be turned away, but the oncology nurse welcomed her back. Jenn’s head spun as she waited outside the closed door. Dr. Arogos would tell her she had no place in the hospital with the other Jenn. She probably didn’t want to see her.

Jenn didn’t want to see her either, yet…she had to.

Her heart jumped when the doorknob rotated and a familiar man in a white coat stepped out. He looked up and froze.

“Jenn. Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine, Dr. Faden, thanks. How are you?”

“Well, thanks. What are you doing here?”

She blew out a shaky breath. She didn’t have a real answer. “Just had a feeling. How’s she doing?”

He shook his head. “For all the file screwing up we did, you’d think I could tell you. However, you’re welcome to visit. I think she’d like to see a new face. Heaven knows she’s been seeing too much of mine. You look pale, though, so take it easy, okay?”

“Sure, thanks.” She felt light-headed and weepy again, but if other Jenn was in the oncology unit for an extended stay, she didn’t need the tears or drama.

Hefting her purse higher, she forced her feet forward, one baby step at a time until she stood near the privacy curtain. The bathroom door stood open and two chairs sat empty. The bed, though, was occupied.

“Hi,” she whispered, her throat tight at the sight of the skinny, bald woman.

She looked up, brown eyes so different than the ones Jenn saw every day in her mirror. They reminded her again, they were not the same woman.

“Well, hey.” She shimmied higher on the pillow. “Come on in. You didn’t run into a nervous bald guy wearing a green polo out there, did you?”

Jenn shook her head and moved farther into the room, but didn’t get close, couldn’t.

“Good. My husband is driving me bananas.” She shifted again. “Why are you here? What can I help you with?”

“Nothing, I…I’m moving to Greece. I’m on my way to the airport, and I saw the sign and….”

“No way. You’re leaving, see the sign, and come here to find me wanting to eat Greek yogurt.”

Jenn snorted, shocked at the sick woman’s humor. All this time she’d projected doom and gloom when thinking of her, but here she was, fine, like Dr. Arogos said. Even if she wasn’t, Jenn didn’t feel the same responsibility she once had.

“Are you okay?” she asked, finding her voice. “Can I do anything? Get you that yogurt, maybe?”

She shook her head. “Oh no, you’ve done enough. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

“What do you mean?”

“The foundation money, silly.” Her brow wrinkled. “The Jennifer CeCe Kallis Fund. I thought it was funny that you did your full middle name, you know, since it’s usually initials. But I guess just initials got us in trouble from the start. The social worker said it was pretty fitting the first grant from the Jenn fund went to another Jenn. The money has been a godsend. My daughter is still able to go to preschool, and Jeffery has been able to take time off of work to take me to appointments and…thank you.”

Jenn hadn’t put the foundation into effect, but she knew who had. Though she didn’t think it was possible, she loved him more.

“Are you feeling okay?” the other Jenn asked. “It might be me, because I feel like a ghost, but you are pale. Maybe you should sit a second.”

Jenn stumbled to the chair. Her head spun. The nausea and shortness of breath came from travel and stress. Walking the beaches of the Mediterranean would be the best medicine.

A nurse stepped in as she closed her eyes. She’d catch her breath and call Charlie.

Someone rubbed her arms too hard. The touch annoyance had eased up, but run-of-the-mill displeasure surged at the rude awakening. She wanted to sleep.

“Hey, sunshine. You back with us?”

She opened her eyes. “What are you doing out of bed? Are you okay?”

The other woman shook her head. “Wow, you’re something aren’t you? Nurse Jackie, she’s back with us, no problem. What’s up, buttercup?”

“Nothing. I think it’s all the travel. I am so sorry I did that. I’ll go and let you recover.”

“You know,” the other Jenn said, “I fainted like nobody’s business when I was pregnant. It used to make Jeffery nuts. We couldn’t even go shopping without smelling salts.”

Her stomach spun. “I’m not pregnant. Just travel tired. You need to get in bed.”

She chuckled. “Okay, I will, but get scooting to your flight. When you land, see a doctor and get things checked out.”

The nurse frowned. “I’d prefer you get checked out before you leave, especially if this is a new phenomenon for you. Some women are ultra-sensitive to blood sugar shifts. I brought in some chocolate milk. I’d feel a lot better if you drank it before standing.”

“Yeah, blood sugar, that’s all.” Jenn did as instructed and the nurse left. She felt fine after the milk, but she attributed her improvement more to her sweet companion than the sugar.

The other Jenn took her place in the bed, once again looking small and frail, but she was okay. “You have a plane to catch.”

“Yeah, I do.” She put the television remote closer and tucked a blanket higher. “I wish you the best. Keep healing, okay? Get better?”

“Of course. Those are the only things on the to-do list for the moment. Hey, and you have a blast in Greece, you hear? It’s not every day you get to live your dreams.”

“You want to go to Greece?” Her mind jumped to a way to make it work.

“Nope.” She closed her eyes and relaxed on the bed. “I’ve got my dream here in Ohio. It’s a little stormy right now, but it’ll get better. You go have yours. I do envy you the yogurt.”

She laughed, her heart light with hope for the other woman. Dr. Arogos would have called this one incorrectly. She’d needed the visit and couldn’t regret even a moment.

“Take care, Jenn.”

She waved from the bed. “Will do, cockatoo. Stay out of trouble and make sure you check in with a doctor in Greece. Make him a cute one, just for giggles.”

Tears burned again, but good ones this time. She headed out of the hospital with her blinders on. She might need to visit a doctor soon if her light-headedness and nausea didn’t ease up, but she couldn’t do one more thing, not today.

She found Charlie waiting in one of the close-by parking spots. He leapt out of the car and held the door open.

“You okay, ma’am? Not that I mind waiting when I’m being paid, but I started to worry.”

Jenn settled into the seat once again. “Everything is great. I’m ready when you are.”

Chapter Fifteen

A text had come through the second Jenn used the ticket he’d sent. Dorian checked the flight time again and looked at the clock above the airline ticket booth. She should be here soon, and he had some serious making up to do.

After catching hell from Zoe, Augusta, and Athena he’d considered his parting words to Jenn and found them lacking. She deserved better and he…he had to express himself more clearly. He felt so connected with her, or had until she packed this last time, but that didn’t mean she could read his mind. The ring he’d bought burned a hole in his pocket. He’d wanted it on her hand, regretted not putting it there before she left.

If he’d been thinking, he would have been supportive, even offered to travel with her. He would have answered her calls, emails…everything. But for over a week, his pride hurt, his heart grieved, and he’d allowed himself to believe he’d been wronged when, in fact, he was wrong. Even after losing that attitude, he’d hesitated, ashamed of his behavior.

Jenn was on her way home, and he’d make things better. The board blinked to life, announcing new arrivals from New York City within minutes. He stood, straightening his jacket. It would take a while for her to make it through customs, but he wanted to be the first person she saw when she stepped through the gate. He checked his watch a dozen times, the minute hand ticking slower than ever.

Finally, red-eyed travelers began trickling in. He moved closer, searching for the woman to whom he owed an apology. Businessmen, attractive coeds, octogenarians—none of them mattered, not until the love of his life shuffled toward him.

Her paper-white complexion held none of its usual vitality. Her freckles popped on her nose and cheeks, magnifying the lack of color. Their eyes met, and while Jenn’s happiness showed, misery chased it away. He reached her side in time to prop her up.

“What is wrong?”

“I feel terrible,” she whispered. “I want to go home.”

His heart flipped. She wanted to go back to Ohio so much it made her ill.

“Please take me to the villa.” She leaned into him. “Please, no clinic or hospital. I want to go home with you. Promise?”

Home was with him at the villa. He would promise her anything, but her eyes rolled back in her head and she fell into him.

“Jenn!” He eased her to the ground.

Flight attendants hurried to them and, scared out of his mind, Dorian was grateful he hadn’t promised to bring her home.

Chapter Sixteen

The scent of disinfectant tickled Jenn’s nose before she fully woke. Sweat on her brow confirmed her conclusion.

“Calm down,” Dorian’s smooth voice broke through the panic but didn’t make her feel much better. “I wouldn’t have brought you here if you hadn’t passed out and taken ten years off my life. You were dehydrated, and the doctor says your blood pressure is too high. I tell him it is stress. He says you are too young and beautiful for such stress and gives me hell for allowing it.”

She smiled at his put-out tone. “Sorry you got a lecture.”

“You should be. If you were in my care, you would never have come here, but that is my fault. I should not have let us part as I did, with so much anger. I love you and I’ve been an ass. I hope you will forgive me.”

She’d missed him so much. Being closer made her feel better, but not enough to open her eyes and confirm their location. “Apology accepted, now please get me out of here. I’m getting better, I promise, but I don’t want to be here.”

His fingers tangled with hers. “Did you visit your doctor in the States?”

“Kind of. I saw him when I visited the other Jenn.”

“What did he say?”

“He said I looked pale,” she mumbled, more sweat pouring down her back. “Really, we have to go. I don’t want to have to be sedated or something.”

“We’ll go, but the doctor did a blood test, dear one, and I have news.”

Her heart dropped. “Cancer?”

He cursed, but her mind raced to the worst. Her body shook, as it had the first time she received the diagnosis. The initial emotions warred with her mind, reminding her she had Dorian. He would help. They would support each other and find reasons to live. She’d be okay.

Warm hands cupped her face. “Open your eyes, woman.”

She didn’t want to. He loved her and when things got worse, he’d be with her. She’d never been more determined to live life to its fullest.

Jenn blew out a breath and forced her eyes open.

“You do not have cancer,” he said. “You are pregnant.”

“No, I’m not.”

“It is so easy for you to believe you are dying, but a child between us is so impossible?”

It really was. And yet, looking into his eyes, so wide and glistening….

“Are you crying?” She ran her fingertip across his cheek. “You are.”

He chuckled. “It has been a very long time since a woman I loved carried a child. It is just as amazing as it was the first time, an honor I cannot explain.”

She wrapped her arms around Dorian, wishing away the IV as it tugged, but with him so close, she could ignore it, at least temporarily.

“I’m pregnant?”

“The blood tests say yes,” he whispered. “I had them do it twice while you were still out because I knew you would find it unpleasant. The nurse will be in soon to take out your IV so we may go home. My physician will visit in the morning, and we will arrange things there so you won’t have to make many visits here.”

She didn’t want to let him go, but she did when the nurse entered. Instead of returning to the chair, he stayed at her side and nudged her face toward him.

“You look at me, love. She will do a good job, but we won’t pay attention.”

“I can handle it,” she protested, feeling foolish at the fuss.

“Of course you can.”

The nurse’s actions were much easier to stomach since she couldn’t see them. Gazing deep into Dorian’s eyes proved the best medicine.

“See?” he said. “Better. Now we will go. I even told them, no silly gown for you. You wear clothes so we can go.”