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She stifled a sigh. “That’s a pointless question. We did get married. We did have a daughter. We do have a son on the way.”
“I wasn’t there to learn the sex of either of my children.” It sounded like he really regretted that.
“I told you.”
“Ne. You told me. The first time with a sweet little pink cupcake that tasted like ambrosia and stopped my heart with the knowledge you were carrying my daughter.”
But for their son, she’d texted. We’re having a boy. The joy-filled phone call had gone to her mother and the special cupcake? She’d made for Helena.
Her daughter had squealed and insisted on sitting down right then to draw a picture to put on her baby brother’s nursery wall.
“I bought champagne for the entire office staff to celebrate that text,” he said, proving their thoughts were running on similar tracks.
“And a pair of sapphire earrings for me,” she said.
“No alcohol while you are pregnant.”
“They’re lovely earrings.”
“But you would have been more touched if I’d bought a stuffie.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, but I knew you wanted me to know you were happy about the baby. And that’s what matters.”
“I am happy about the baby. I adore Helena and cannot wait to welcome her little brother into the world.”
“I’ll be giving birth soon enough.” In about fourteen weeks if all went to plan.
“I plan to be there for the entire labor and delivery this time,” he told her.
“If you can’t, I’ll manage. Mom and Dad already have plans to be here a week before the due date, and they’re both staying a full month this time.”
“Nevertheless, I will be there.”
Polly didn’t reply. She didn’t want to call him a liar, but she doubted even the certainty he would be in the country when she gave birth.
He sighed. “I think I’ve broken too many promises to you without ever meaning to.”
“I think if it had been intentional I wouldn’t have stayed, but even I could tell that we just didn’t see the world the same way.”
“There is no reason that Beryl cannot continue on as she is now, even after the baby is born.”
Polly pushed back her knee-jerk reaction of denial and considered what she really wanted, and what would be best for her and the two children she would have. “I would like that.”
“Then, that’s the way it will be.” He stepped back, and she contrarily missed his warmth.
She moved away from the bookcase, tidying up the few things that were not in their proper place. Hope was a terrifying ember burning in her heart. Polly could not snuff it out, but the fear that it would lead to more pain down the road wouldn’t go away either.
He looked around her sanctuary again, a small smile playing on his lips. “I should have begged Zephyr Nikos to convince his wife to do the decor here in the villa. Despite you comparing this place to one of their hospitality properties, you and she share a similar design aesthetic.”
Polly smiled. The thought of having Piper redecorate the villa was a pipe dream, but something she would have loved.
“Would you like to move back to Athens?” Alexandros asked with every evidence of being serious.
But could he really mean it?
Most of the friends she’d made in Greece still lived in Athens, or visited there. Corrina and Petros were there, and they were her very best friends. Helena adored them and would love to see her uncle and new aunt more often.
But Polly forced herself to think beyond what would make her happy. “I’m not sure it would be fair to Helena. She’s never known any other home than this one. And she has friends in her playgroup.”
