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‘You look beautiful,’ he said, his voice low and husky.
She smiled, feeling the flutter of butterflies deep inside her. Just looking at him made her feel good—joyful and excited at the same time. Her blood tingled through her veins like champagne. She was so happy to be there with him—so happy that he was the father of her child.
Suddenly her heart turned over and she realised something—something wonderful and terrible at the same time.
She loved him. She had fallen in love with Theo all over again.
Later that day Theo took Kerry to meet Hallie and Corban. Her legs felt weak with nerves, but she knew she had to overcome them. Not just for the sake of her future in the Diakos family—but because it was the right thing to do.
‘I’m so sorry for what I did.’ Kerry rushed the words out the moment they were all together.
They seemed to jar uncomfortably around the room, as if she’d just said something out of place, and she felt her stomach crunch with nervous agitation. But in her heart she knew there was no point waiting, working awkwardly through small talk, with such a big issue still hanging in the air between them.
‘It’s all right,’ Hallie said suddenly, throwing her arms around Kerry impulsively. ‘Everyone is all right.’
‘But…but when I think what might have happened…’ Kerry stammered, feeling her eyes brimming with tears of remorse. She’d thought that after her afternoon of confession with Theo she was all cried out—but as the tears ran down her cheeks she knew that she wasn’t.
‘Honestly, I can’t remember much about it,’ Hallie said. ‘But I know you—I know you didn’t mean to harm anyone. Maybe you even helped me, in a way.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Kerry said, gratefully taking the tissue Hallie offered her and dabbing her eyes.
‘I don’t think I was ready to accept that I needed help,’ Hallie said. ‘I k
now it wasn’t the best way to realise that I did—but at least crashing the car made me stop and think.’
‘But…but…’ Kerry wasn’t ready to believe that anything good could have come of that night.
‘You didn’t put the car keys in my hand,’ Hallie said. ‘But you did try to stop me—and you went straight for help.’
She turned and reached out her arm for her husband, drew him closer to them.
‘We forgive you,’ Hallie said. ‘And we are pleased that you will be part of the family again.’
Kerry smiled tremulously as she looked at Hallie. She was such a kind, generous soul, and Kerry felt so grateful. Hallie’s friendship had always meant a lot to her, and she knew that it would enrich her life now that she was to be married to Theo.
‘Theo has told me what happened.’ Corban’s deep voice rumbled beside her and she turned to look up at him. He was so like his brother that when his dark eyes met hers she felt a rush of nervousness. ‘I accept that you did not mean for any harm to come to my family.’
Despite his words of assurance there was no warmth in his eyes. Kerry knew that he was still protective towards his wife and child—and she understood why. The fact that Hallie had forgiven her so freely was more than enough. She knew she would have to earn Corban’s trust again, but for his brother’s sake he was prepared to accept her into the family.
‘Thank you.’ Kerry spoke sincerely.
‘Let’s go for dinner.’ Hallie’s voice was bright and breezy, and Kerry knew she was determined to lighten the atmosphere, to put the past behind them. ‘You can tell me all about the wedding plans.’
Theo fell into step with his brother as they walked through into the dining room, but his eyes were on Kerry. She was clearly relieved that seeing Hallie and Corban again had gone so well—and Theo shared that relief.
He wasn’t in the habit of worrying about what other people thought, but he realised he’d been ill at ease, waiting for this meeting to take place.
Perhaps it was because up until this afternoon Kerry had never truly apologised for what had happened. He’d only known that she regretted the outcome—rather than the fact that she had interfered in the first place. But now he believed that she was genuinely sorry. And he’d been impressed by the open honesty she had shown Hallie and Corban.
As he looked at her a strange sensation passed through him. He frowned, momentarily disconcerted as he couldn’t identify what he was feeling. Then he realised what it was—pride. He was proud of how she had taken responsibility and given such a heartfelt apology to Hallie and Corban.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
OVER the next few weeks Kerry re-established her friendship with Hallie. They’d always got along well, and it was wonderful to have someone to pass the time with while Theo was working. It was good for the children to play together too. Lucas, who had just started crawling, had great fun following his older cousin Nicco around.
The wedding came and went with the minimum of fuss. It was a small ceremony, just for immediate family, and afterwards Theo took Kerry and Lucas to the island for a couple of days. She was a little disappointed that he’d only taken such a small amount of time out of his busy schedule for them. Not that she’d wanted a big fancy honeymoon, but she would have liked the chance to spend more time with Theo. She finally felt as if they were starting to get to know each other again, but it was slow progress because he was always working.
When they returned to Athens, Corban and Hallie had already left to continue the trip they had interrupted to attend the wedding. Kerry and Lucas were alone during the day once again, and life settled into a quiet pattern.
