The Greek Doctor's Proposal (12 page)

T
HREE
hours later Miklo pulled into Jeannine’s driveway, and she tensed. What the heck was he doing here? She’d only come home to get a few things, then she was heading to stay overnight with Trish. She had barely seen him over the last two weeks and had tried to put him from her mind.

Now she trembled as she walked to the door and opened it.

“Hi,” he said, and shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Hi.” She stood there with her hand on the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“Why? If something changed in Trish’s discharge orders you could have called me.”

Miklo frowned and looked away, clearly uncomfortable. “It’s not that. I was hoping we could take a tram ride to the top of the mountain, have dinner, and talk a while. Watch the sunset over the mesa.”

“That sounds lovely, but I’m spending the night with Trish.” She knew Trish would be fine overnight, but right now she was a convenient excuse.

“I see.”

“Why don’t you just spit out what you want to say to me? You’ve clearly got something on your mind.” Like finishing her off forever.

“I do have something on my mind and had hoped to discuss it with you over dinner.” A small smile curve his lips upward.

“Why don’t you just do it here? Save yourself a few bucks and don’t waste our time.” Coldness pierced her heart, aching that Miklo felt the need to confront her this way when he could have just let things fade into nothingness between them.

Now it was his turn to frown. “Do what? I know you don’t like flying, but you don’t have a fear of the tram, do you?”

“No.” She didn’t smile, as her heart was breaking into tiny little pieces, though she had known her time with him was going to be limited. “Miklo. You’re going to tell me it’s over between us, as if I didn’t know that already. You don’t need to wine and dine me to break it off. I can handle it.” But could she really? Would hearing the words come out of his mouth make them any less painful than the speculation had been?

“You can handle it, huh?” he said, and strode closer to her, then closed the door behind him. One silent step at a time brought him face to face with her. His eyes glittered, and she wondered if it was from pain or amusement.

“Isn’t that what this is about?”

Slowly Miklo backed her against the wall and braced his hands beside her head, reminding her of the time that he had undressed her here after the Chocolate Fantasy Ball.

The pulse in her throat thrummed and her heartbeat echoed in her ears. Something wasn’t right. If he was going to call it off, what was he doing so close to her, looking so hungry for her? Why was his body so hot against hers? And, dammit, why did she have to react so strongly to him?

“
This
is what it’s about,” he said, and dropped his gaze to her mouth a second before his lips met hers.

Instant fire raced through her. Wild and untamed, it touched the very core of her as Miklo kissed her. Spreading his hands across her hips, he drew her against him, molding her body to his. The heat of him scorched her and made her want to forget a tram ride, dinner, and even Trish.

When he lifted his head, she couldn’t believe the desire smoldering in his deep brown eyes.

“Don’t play with me, Miklo. That I can’t take.”

“Did that feel like I was playing?” he asked.

Looking into his eyes, she searched for the truth. “Does this mean you’re not dumping me?”

“Yes, I’m not dumping you. But we do have things to talk about and the temptation to strip you naked will be much less if we go someplace public.”

“I see.” She could still feel the burning flame of his arousal pressed against her, but even she knew that desire was a long way from commitment.

Jeannine watched the lights of Albuquerque grow smaller and smaller the higher they rose on the twelve-person tram. “How high did the driver say this thing goes again?” she asked, and was glad she couldn’t see the ground below her.

“Don’t be nervous,” Miklo said, and squeezed her shoulder in a gesture of reassurance. “It’s the longest tram in the world, or so the brochure says. The peak of the mountain is over 10,000 feet.” He brought her against his side. “Sitting in the restaurant, looking down the mountain to the west mesa at sunset, is one of my favorite views in the world.”

“That’s saying something, considering how much you’ve traveled.”

“Yeah.” He focused those intense eyes on her. “It’s amazing what you have in your own backyard that you don’t see immediately.”

Jeannine could only imagine what he meant by that statement. The tram swayed in the light breeze blowing through the desert canyon. She was glad it wasn’t any stronger, or the swaying motion would have made her feel ill.

In a few minutes they were settled at a table facing the large windows to the west. “I see what you mean,” she said, and looked out at the magnificent colors across the west mesa. She looked around at the other patrons. Everyone seemed okay, and she gave a quiet chuckle.

“Are you looking for someone?” Miklo asked.

“No. I was just thinking that every time we’ve gone somewhere together there’s been some sort of medical
emergency we’ve gotten dragged into. I’m just waiting for the next one.”

Miklo laughed and reached for his water. “That is kind of weird, isn’t it? But I don’t think we need one tonight.”

She leaned forward and motioned him closer. “What do you think of not declaring ourselves next time there’s a medical emergency?”

“Somehow I think neither of us would go for that.”

“You’re right.” With a sigh Jeannine looked at Miklo. “I think it’s time you tell me why we’re here,” she said, wishing with all of her heart that things could be different between them. Though she’d known from the beginning that anything between them would be fleeting, it hadn’t stopped her from falling in love with him. Sitting here with him now, she was no longer certain, but her lack of confidence in relationships didn’t give her any help.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Her voice was a mere whisper.

“I’m here on a promise.”

He reached out for her hand, but for once she derived no comfort from his touch. Inside she was cold, numb to the pain she knew was going to come.

“A promise? What kind of promise? That I won’t try to see you any more?” Her heart raced. “That I’ll forgo Greek food forever? What?”

“No. This.” Withdrawing his hand from hers he fished into his jacket pocket and removed a small box. After placing it on the table, he rose from his chair and
lowered himself onto one knee. “This is the promise that started generations ago in my family and one I want to give to you now.”

“What are you doing?” she asked, and tried to pull him to his feet, but he remained solidly on one knee beside her, his strength surging through the contact of their skin, straight to her heart. “You don’t break up with someone on your knees,” she said, and tugged at him one more time.

“No, you don’t, which is why I’m in this position.” He sighed and his gaze focused intently on her. “For a man to do what I’m about to do, he needs an ability to understand women a little, have a humble spirit, and love in his heart. Until I met you, I didn’t know what those were.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her trembling knuckles.

Tears formed in her eyes as he spoke. No man had ever humbled himself for her. No man had ever understood her, and certainly no man had ever loved her.

“Having known those gifts that only come together once in a lifetime, I don’t want them, or you, to ever leave my life.” Miklo reached for the box on the table. “This belonged to my great-grandmother.” With hands that visibly trembled, he opened the lid to reveal the most stunning wedding set she had ever seen. “I love you, Jeannine. I would be honored if you would wear it and marry me.”

“No,” she said, and in some part of her numbed mind she heard the patrons around her gasp. Moving from her seat, she knelt on the floor beside him. “I am the one
who would be honored to share my life with you.” Tears overflowed her eyes as they embraced in the middle of the dining room.

Applause erupted around them, but Jeannine didn’t care. “I love you, Miklo.” He didn’t respond, but the shaking of his body as he held her tight showed her the depth of his emotion. Pulling back, he slipped the ring onto her finger. She laughed as it flopped over.

“I’ll have it re-sized, and then it will be perfect on you.”

“I love it. It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Emotions she couldn’t name surged through her. Emotions she never thought she’d feel. Emotions she thought that had been long dead inside her now proved how very wrong she had been to allow her dreams to die.

“We’re going to have a beautiful life together,” Miklo said. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and helped her back into her chair.

“I can’t believe you proposed to me!” She took in a few cleansing breaths and pressed her trembling hand to her forehead. “Despite what you said, I really thought you brought me up here to break things off with me.”

“You are the brightest light in my life, and I love you. I’m not dumping you ever.” He cleared his throat and held her hands in his. “When Darlene died, it nearly killed me. Losing the baby almost finished me off. Two months ago I would have said I didn’t need love or another person in my life, but now I know so much better. You helped me more than you’ll ever know.”

“Miklo, you don’t know how badly I want this, how much I want to share my life with you.” She hesitated,
clenching her fist around the ring and searching his eyes. “But what about children? I don’t know whether I can get pregnant, let alone carry one to term. After all that’s happened to me, the doctors at the time weren’t very encouraging.”

“First we need to see what Mother Nature will let your body do before we get too concerned. And, secondly, I don’t want to marry you just to have babies. If Mother Nature decides we aren’t to have our own family, then we can adopt. There are plenty of children who need a good home, right?” He tucked her hair behind one ear.

“You’re right,” she whispered as her lip trembled. “I just never wanted to even think about…”

“When the time comes we’ll do more than
think
about it,” Miklo said, and kissed her.

Jeannine kept her fist clenched to keep the ring on as she threw her arms around Miklo’s shoulders and held him tight. “Let’s get out of here,” she said. Unable to keep her heart from beating madly, she gave in to the happiness that seemed to grow from within her. Miklo was a great part of that, but she’d learned that she could also create her own version of happiness. His presence in her life only made it that much sweeter.

“What did you have in mind?” he asked as they headed for the return tram back down the mountain.

“There’s a bottle of champagne waiting in my refrigerator. I think it’s time we opened it.”

“That’s a fabulous idea,” he said, and pulled her into an embrace she knew she would never tire of.

Two years later

J
EANNINE
sat at a table at Olympia’s restaurant with her feet up on a chair. The water glass beside her remained untouched as she clapped her hands, watching the dancers move around the room. Her eyes were drawn to one particular dancer with wavy dark hair that grazed the collar of his white shirt.

There were many handsome men in the room, but none as attractive as her husband dancing with his three brothers.

She shifted her position on the chair and patted her stomach. “Soon, little one. You’ll be dancing with your papa.”

At the end of the song, Miklo fell into a chair beside her and drank deeply from the water glass on the table.

“That looked like fun,” she said, and handed him her glass of water, too.

“It’s great that we’re all here,” he said between gasping breaths. “I haven’t danced so much since our wedding.”

“It’s good to see you out there with everyone,” she said, and absently stroked a hand over her abdomen.

Miklo sat forward and gently cupped her large belly with both hands. “Are you feeling okay still? Not too much exertion?”

“I’m good. Just a little achy in the back and the feet, as usual.”

“Do you feel up to dancing with me? They are about to slow things down.”

“Are you sure you want to dance with a whale?” Jeannine asked with a laugh. “What if I step on your foot? You’ll never be the same again.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Miklo assisted Jeannine to her feet and they walked to the dance floor amid waves and friendly kisses on the cheek and wishes of good luck from many family and friends.

“Let’s stay on the edge of the floor in case I need to sit down.”

Miklo led her to a corner of the floor and took her in his arms. As they held each other and swayed to the music, Miklo started to shake. Clutching her shoulders as close to him as possible, he held her tight, his emotions running high.

Jeannine held him as tightly as possible, knowing his fears ran deep. Though he had lost one family, he had never forgotten them. Her pregnancy, though wonderful, brought out past pain for both of them. “Everything will be okay, Miklo. It will be fine. The doctor said I’m progressing as I should, and there are no anticipated complications.”

“I still worry, love,” he said, and kissed her temple.

“You won’t stop worrying until this baby is out of me and sitting on your lap, will you?” she asked, and pulled back to see his face.

Miklo grinned. “How well you know me.” Pulling her closer again, he put one arm around her shoulders and the other on her abdomen. He never tired of feeling his child stirring inside her.

Beneath his hand, the muscles of her abdomen tensed, and she gave a surprised gasp.

“What is it?” he asked, near panic as he saw the tension in her face.

“I think you’re going to be a father sooner than we thought.”

Jeannine took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the pain passed. “Well, maybe not. The pain just went away. Maybe the baby is just moving around.”

“That’s a relief. You’re not due for two weeks yet.”

“I know, but babies come when they’re ready, not when the calendar says.” Jeannine gasped as another pain seared through her abdomen. “Miklo?”

“Yes?”

“I think we need to leave. I don’t care what the calendar says, I think we’re going to be having a baby today.”

Miklo let out a whoop of happiness. “We’re having a baby today!” he yelled to this family and friends. With a hand around her shoulders he led her to the door. “Stay here, and I’ll bring the car around.”

“Hurry,” she said as she held on to Seferino. Jolanda hovered nearby.

“Don’t worry. This baby is going to be fine.” Seferino kissed Jeannine’s cheek and held her until Miklo returned. “I’m not so sure he should be driving, though.”

“You can tell him that.” Jeannine gasped as another pain sliced through her.

“Christo!” Seferino yelled, and motioned for his son to come forward. “You need to drive them to the hospital. Now.”

“Really?” Christo’s surprised eyes widened. “I get to drive the Jag?”

“Who said you get to drive the Jag?” Miklo asked as he entered the restaurant.

“I do,” Seferino said. “Focus on your wife and baby. Christo will get you there in one piece.” He patted Miklo on the shoulder. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Everyone?” Jeannine asked, her eyes wide.

“Of course, everyone. We will welcome your little one into our family.”

Jeannine bit her lip and tried not to laugh at the idea of this large, robust family fitting into the waiting room at the hospital without causing a riot.

“Let’s go,” Miklo said, and assisted her into the car.

Christo hopped into the driver’s side of the waiting car. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

“What if my waters break in the car?” Jeannine asked.

“Drive fast, Christo,” Miklo said, and placed his hand on Jeannine’s abdomen.

“You got it.”

Ten long hours later, Miklo held his son in his arms. The proud father took the healthy newborn to the nursery window, showed him off to the family and then returned to Jeannine’s side.

“You made a beautiful baby boy, wife,” Miklo said. He sat in the chair beside Jeannine’s bed.

“With you as his father, it was easy,” she said, and reached out to hold the baby.

Miklo watched as his son suckled at Jeannine’s breast. It was a sight that he had anticipated for two years and now he savored the sight. A bitter-sweet ache stirred in his heart at the past that had died and for the baby that had just begun life.

With Jeannine’s love and support, he had learned to love and to live again.

“Are you okay?” she asked, and reached out one hand to him.

“I’m the happiest man on the planet,” he said, and took her hand. “Thanks to you.”

“We did it. Together.”