Baby out of the Blue

by Rebecca Winters

  “If that’s true, then the doctor will find out. She’s going to be all right, Nik. That child survived a tornado. She’ll survive this. You’re all doing everything possible for her.”

  He grimaced. “What if it’s not enough? If our family lost her...”

  She touched his arm. “Don’t even think it!” But deep inside, Fran was worried about it, too. She adored that baby. This was new territory for all of them. His love for his niece had never been more evident. “I wish I could help you.”

  “You already have simply by being with me.” He grasped her hand, twining his fingers through hers while he drove with his left. But soon he had to let her go to answer another text. They kept coming, feeding them information until they reached the helipad near the ferries.

  Nik’s driver jumped down and hurried around to the driver’s seat while they climbed in the helicopter once more. Nik stowed their backpacks onboard. “We’re flying to the hospital in Mykonos.”

  She sat in her usual spot and buckled up. Her emotions were so up and down, she was hardly cognizant of the takeoff. Fran found herself repeating a new mantra. Demi can’t have anything seriously wrong with her. She just can’t.

  It seemed to take forever to reach the island. The pilot set them down on the pad outside the E.R. area of the hospital in the town of Mykonos. Nik helped Fran out, then gathered their backpacks before hurrying inside with her.

  “Cosimo said they’ve got her in a bigger private room for the moment to accommodate the family. It’s down this wing.”

  The second they opened the door, their family descended on Nik as though he was their savior. He was the force they gravitated to because he had that intangible aura that made everyone feel better.

  Fran felt terrible she’d said anything to take him away from them. Yet, on the other hand, she’d seen him freed of responsibility for a few days, and he’d become a different man who’d been revitalized.

  He turned to Fran. After the others greeted her, he led her over to the crib. Demi lay on her side. An IV had been inserted in her foot. She looked and felt feverish.

  “Evidently she’s been like this all day,” Nik whispered. “Her temp is still too high.”

  Fran looked at his mother. She was an elegant woman with silvery wings overlaying her short black hair. “Have they done all the tests on her?”

  Mrs. Angelis nodded, clutching the railing of the crib. “They can’t find anything wrong. The doctor’s perplexed.”

  “Is she asleep?”

  “No, but they gave her something to help her rest in order to bring the fever down.”

  Nik put an arm around his mother’s shoulders. “She has to be missing Melina.”

  His mother’s eyes filled with tears. “She was the best mother in the world. It’s wicked that she was taken away from us. I feel so helpless. My dearest little Demitra.”

  “She’ll get past this, Mrs. Angelis,” Fran assured her, but deep down she was weeping inside to see Demi lying there, limp. It reminded her of the way she’d found her in the bushes. “Homesickness can bring on all her symptoms, but it won’t last forever,” she said, if only to try and convince herself.

  Nik’s father, whose salt-and-pepper hair was thinning on top, had come to stand on the other side of the crib. “Of course it won’t.”

  Unable to resist, Fran leaned down and smoothed the black curls with her fingers. “Demi, sweetheart? It’s Fran. What’s the matter?”

  Nik slid his arm around her waist. “Sing to her. Maybe your voice will rouse her.”

  Fran tried several lullabies, but there was no response. She thought her heart would break and started with another one. All of a sudden Demi’s eyes opened and she looked up at Fran. Then she made whimpering sounds and stretched an arm out.

  There was a hushed silence in the room. All eyes were on the drastic change in the baby.

  “Go ahead and pick her up,” Nik murmured.

  At his urging, Fran bent over and gathered the baby in her arms. “Well, hi, little sweetheart. Did you just wake up?” She had to be careful because the IV was still attached to her foot.

  Demi snuggled in her arms. It was almost as if she was saying she’d missed Fran. The demonstration of affection was too much for Fran who hid her face in the baby’s curls for a minute. She kissed her forehead and cheeks. “I’ve missed you, too. So has your uncle Nik.”

  She would have handed Demi to him, but he shook his head. “She wants you.”

  In the periphery she noticed his family. They appeared pretty well dumbstruck. “Let’s see if she wants a bottle and will take it from you.” He turned to his mother. “Did you bring one?”

  “Oh— Yes. There are several in the diaper bag over there on the table.”

  Nik got one out and brought it to Fran. After pulling a chair over to the crib, he told her to sit and see if Demi wanted any milk.

  Fran subsided in the chair and cradled the baby. “Are you hungry, you cute little thing? Would a bottle taste good?” She put the nipple in her mouth, not knowing what would happen.

  Gasps of surprise escaped everyone when Demi stared up at Fran with those beautiful brown eyes and started drinking. Nik’s exhausted-looking parents smiled at her with tears in their eyes. The relief on their faces spoke volumes. His brothers were so joyful, they squeezed Nik’s shoulder.

  Fran was tongue-tied and glanced up at Nik. “I honestly don’t know why Demi responds to me.”

  His dark eyes were suspiciously bright. “You rescued her from the garden and were the first person to show her love when she came back to life. I don’t think we need to look for any other answer than that. Do you?” He stared first at her, then around at his family.

  His father wiped the wetness off his cheeks. “Our only problem now, Kyria Myers, is to convince you to stay with us a while until Demi feels comfortable again with everyone.”

  “She went downhill after you and Nik left the island,” his mother volunteered. “Please stay.” Her heart was in her voice.

  Conflicted by her fear of what was happening here, Fran couldn’t look at them.

  “What do you say?” Nik was still leaving it up to her. She loved him for that.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “OF COURSE I’ll stay.”

  As if Fran needed to be convinced...

  Demi had caught at her heart the second she’d seen her lying in the bushes. She might be Nik’s flesh and blood, but Fran loved her, too. “It’ll be no penance to help out.”

  He squeezed her shoulder, filling her with a new kind of warmth. “I’ll tell the doctor. As soon as he releases her, we’ll all drive home together.” Near her ear he whispered, “We’ll do the Sinai climb later.”

  No. They wouldn’t. But it was a beautiful thought she’d cherish forever.

  Within fifteen minutes they were able to leave the hospital. It was decided Fran would be wheeled outside holding Demi so there was no chance the baby would revert back to hysterics.

  The family had come in two cars. Nik helped her into the back of his parents’ car before sliding in next to her. His brothers followed in one of their cars. The whole scene was so surreal, Fran had to pinch herself.

  Anyone seeing her would think she was a new mother, except that Demi was too big and her coloring was the opposite of Fran’s. Still, she imagined this was how a new mother felt taking her baby home for the first time. How she wished Demi were really hers! Babies were miracles, and this one ha
ppened to be the miracle baby everyone in Greece was talking about.

  When they reached the villa, Nik carried their backpacks to the suite where she’d stayed before. “Let’s bathe her.”

  “I was just going to suggest it.”

  They worked in harmony. He got everything out she would need to bathe the baby in the tub. Nik filled it. Together they washed her hair and played with her. Demi loved it and kicked her legs.

  “That’s it, Demi. Kick harder.” With his encouragement, she splashed water in her face, but she didn’t cry. They both burst into laughter.

  “Aren’t you a brave girl!”

  After wrapping her up in a towel, Nik carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. Fran sprinkled some powder, then put on her diaper and a summery sleeper. Nik dried her hair and brushed the curls.

  “It’s time to take her temperature. I’ll get the thermometer.” Fran hurried over to the dresser. “Here—” She handed it to Nik.

  “This isn’t going to hurt, Demi.” Fran held her breath while he checked it. A few more seconds and he glanced up. “Ninety-nine degrees.”

  “Wonderful! You’re almost back to normal.” She kissed the baby’s tummy, producing gurgle-like laughter.

  “Let’s take her out to the patio. When everyone sees how happy she is, they’ll all stop worrying and get a good night’s sleep.” Nik picked Demi up and they walked through the villa and out the doors. Twilight was upon them, the mystical time of evening that gave the island a special glow.

  This time the family didn’t reach for Demi. They let Nik take charge. He sat down on the swing holding the baby on his lap and patted the spot next to him for Fran. “Her temperature is down. She’s had her bath and is ready for bed. You’ll be glad to know Fran has agreed to stay here for a few days to help out. Hopefully it won’t take long for life to get back to a new normal.”

  “Demitra isn’t the same baby we drove to the hospital this morning,” his mother remarked. She eyed Fran. “It’s absolutely uncanny how she responds to you. We’re thankful you didn’t leave Athens yet.”

  Fran felt it incumbent to explain. “Before the tornado touched down, Kellie and I were on our way to hike Mount Olympus.”

  “Ah—you like to climb? So does our Nikolos.”

  “I found that out. Since Kellie wasn’t well, he took me to the top. And this morning we flew in the helicopter over Mount Athos.”

  “An intriguing place,” Nik’s father interjected.

  “For you men,” Fran teased. Everyone chuckled.

  Nik flicked her a glance with the private message that he looked forward to their climb of Sinai. She got a fluttery sensation in her chest.

  “We were up early and then had a long drive back. If you’ll forgive us, we’re going to put Demi down and we’ll see you in the morning.”

  His father nodded, but Fran saw the speculative gleam in his eyes as they got up to leave. Their family knew Nik never spent this much time with a woman. She could tell his brothers were equally curious about what was going on, though they made no comment. They’d be even more surprised if they learned she and Nik had been on the verge of flying to Egypt.

  “Nik? I can tell your parents want to talk to you. Why don’t you let me take over from here and give her a bottle?” She drew the baby out of his arms.

  “Don’t count on me being long.”

  “Take all the time you need.”

  Fran was glad to escape to her suite. She disappeared down the hall to the nursery and sat in the chair next to the bed to feed Demi a bottle. Once she’d sung a few songs, the baby fell asleep much faster than Fran would have thought. Maybe there was still a little of the sedative in her system. Between that and her exhaustion, she’d no doubt sleep through the night.

  Fran tiptoed out of the nursery and checked her own phone. She found two text messages. One from her mom who wondered how she was doing. Fran hadn’t had a chance to tell her anything yet. The other one came from Kellie.

  I’ve been trying to reach you for two days. What’s going on? Why haven’t you phoned?

  Fran checked her watch. It would still be early afternoon in Philadelphia. While she waited for Nik to come, she decided to phone her friend.

  “Kellie?”

  “Thank goodness it’s you, Fran. I was beginning to worry.”

  “I’m sorry. So much has happened since you left Athens, I hardly know where to start. But before I talk about me, I have to know how you’re doing. By now your aunt and uncle have been told everything.”

  “Yes, and they’re being so wonderful to me.” Fran heard tears in her voice.

  “What about Leandros? Is he still there?”

  “No. I told him to leave, but I promised to call him when I was ready to talk. He finally gave up and flew back to Athens.”

  Fran sank down on the side of the bed. She was sick for both of them. “Are you feeling all right physically? No more fainting spells?”

  “No. My aunt says she’s going to fatten me up.”

  “You have lost a few pounds since Easter.”

  “Enough about me. How soon are you coming home?”

  Fran took a deep breath. “Not for a while.”

  “How come?”

  Her hand tightened on the phone. “The baby was in the hospital again with a high fever.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “I wish I weren’t. She’s missing her parents and the family has been at their wit’s end.”

  “Does Demi still reach out to you?”

  Fran wasn’t about to lie to her. “I’m afraid so. Their family is really hurt by it. None of us can figure it out. Since we brought her back to the villa, her temp is already down. It’s uncanny.”

  “Has Nik—”

  “No, Kellie,” Fran broke in, reading her thoughts. “He’s never mentioned the word nanny again. Tomorrow he’s going to consult with a psychiatrist to find out what could be going on with Demi. I’ve promised to stay that long.”

  “Oh, Fran... Why didn’t you come home on the flight Leandros arranged for you?”

  Good question. “Because Nik volunteered to take me up on the top of Mount Olympus before I went home.”

  After a pregnant silence, “Did you go?”

  “Yes. On the descent he got a call that Demi was back in the hospital.” A little lie that could be forgiven.

  “She’s his number one priority. I was there before, during and after the funeral. It’s clear he put Melina on a pedestal and would do anything for her. I learned he was instrumental in getting her and Stavros together. Did you know Nik was in a bad mountain-climbing accident?”

  “He told me.”

  “Did he also tell you Melina took it upon herself to be at his bedside both in and out of the hospital? Her devotion to him was praised at the funeral.”

  Fran’s eyes closed tightly. She didn’t know that.

  “If you stay any longer, you’ll end up taking care of the baby. It’s his way of paying back Melina.”

  Fran didn’t believe Nik had a hidden agenda, not after the rapturous few days together when they’d both opened up their hearts. But she couldn’t dismiss the nagging possibility Kellie was right in one regard. Fran was still in Greece of her own free will with no date set to go home yet. Demi’s tug on her was growing stronger. So was Nik’s.

  “Are you still there? Are you listening?”

  “Yes.” She’d been listening to Kellie spill out her broken heart since coming
to Greece. Her friend’s agony went fathoms deep and colored her thoughts where Fran’s relationship with Nik was concerned.

  “Remember that old cliché about blood being thicker than water? It happens to be true. Believe me, I know. After marrying Leandros, I have proof.”

  In Kellie’s mind, Karmela had turned her marriage into a threesome. Maybe there was some truth in it, but Fran knew there had to be a lot more going on. Kellie had a hard time talking about her deepest fears. Fran doubted she’d talked to Leandros about them.

  “Do you hear what I’m saying, Fran?”

  “Yes.” She would have said more, but she heard a noise. Nik had entered the bedroom and shut the door. Turning her back to him she said, “Forgive me, Kellie, but something has come up and I’ll have to call you later. I promise.”

  She hung up and turned around. “I was just returning Kellie’s call.”

  Nik stood at the end of the bed with his hands resting on his hips in a totally male stance. “Is she all right now that she’s with her aunt and uncle? She was raised by them, right?”

  “Yes. Physically she’s fine, but emotionally, I’ve never seen her so completely devastated. Leandros is back in Athens.”

  He rubbed his chest absently. “I’m sorry to hear that, especially when it appears her pain has rubbed off on you.”

  Fran was gutted by her conversation with Kellie. “I have to admit I’m worried about them.”

  “I’m sorry. Under the circumstances I’ll say good- night and see you in the morning. After breakfast we’ll take Demi out in the sailboat. She loves it. Hopefully while we’re enjoying ourselves, the doctor will get back to me with some ideas, and we’ll go from there.”

  “I’d like that. Good night, Nik.”

  Much to her chagrin she wanted him to grab her and kiss her senseless, but he was a man of his word and made no move toward her. Instead, he tiptoed into the nursery. She watched from the doorway as he leaned over the crib to touch Demi’s hair. The sweet moment moved her to tears before he came back out.