Baby out of the Blue

by Rebecca Winters

  His eyes looked like glistening black pools in the semidarkness. “Kalinitha, Fran.”

  * * *

  A light breeze filled the sail. With the surface of the blue Aegean shimmering like diamonds, Fran felt she’d come close to heaven. “Where are we headed, Nik?”

  He manned the rudder with the same expertise he did everything else. In bathing trunks and a T-shirt that revealed his hard-muscled body, he looked spectacular.

  “Delos. It’s that tiny, barren island you can see from here, only three miles away. The Ionians colonized it in 1000 BC and made it their religious capital. There’s a specific reason I’m taking us there.”

  Fran had been holding Demi since they’d climbed onboard. They were both dressed in sun suits and hats. Fran wore her bathing suit underneath. When it got too hot, she’d take the baby below for a nap. “Is there a statue of Atlas? If so, I want to take a picture.”

  He grinned, dissolving her insides. “Sorry to disappoint you. He resides far away in North Africa.”

  “Of course. The Atlas Mountains. I’d forgotten. That explains your affinity for them.”

  “Maybe,” he teased. “I’m afraid Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, but that’s not what’s so interesting.”

  She kissed Demi’s cheek. “We’re all ears, aren’t we, sweetheart?”

  “At one point, the island was so sacred, no one was allowed to be born there or die there.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Those who were about to leave this world, or get ushered in, were rushed off to the nearby islet of Rinia.”

  She laughed. “Sometimes you just can’t stop either one from happening.”

  “Somehow they managed.”

  “Sounds like shades of the rules on Mount Athos.”

  “I was waiting for you to make that connection. At least here on Delos, males and females can go ashore and walk around the ancient ruins.”

  “What about children? Are they permitted?”

  “Yes, but Demi will have to wait until she’s six or seven. This afternoon we’ll just circle the island. While all the other tourists from Mykonos scramble around, we’ll be able to sit back and see many of the remains from the deck.”

  “It’s a glorious day out for sightseeing.”

  “With this light breeze, my favorite kind.”

  She felt his gaze linger on her, overheating her in a hurry. “What’s the name of your boat? I can’t read Greek.”

  “The Phorcys.”

  “A mythological creature?”

  “To be sure. I was raised on the myths. When I was a boy I made up my mind that when I was old enough to buy my own boat, I’d name it for the ancient sea god who presides over the hidden dangers of the deep.”

  “That sounds exactly like something the protective Atlas would do.”

  Laughter rumbled out of his chest.

  “Does he look like you?”

  “Tell you what. One day I’ll bring you to Delos alone.” Don’t say things like that, Nik. In a few days I’ll fly home and never come back here again. “We’ll walk up to the highest point on the island where I’ll show you an ancient mosaic of him. He’s a gray-haired, fish-tailed god with spiky crab-like skin and forelegs who carries a torch.”

  “Oh dear. He must have done an excellent job of keeping everyone away.” They were getting closer to the island now.

  “He did better than that,” Nik quipped. “With his wife, Ceto, they created a host of monstrous children collectively known as the Phorcydes.”

  “That’s terrible! How sad they never had a child as beautiful as Demi.” Fran shifted the baby to her shoulder and hugged her. “If the gods did exist, they’d be jealous of Melina’s daughter. Even without them, she’ll need to be guarded well.”

  And Nik would see to that.

  She lifted the binoculars he’d given her to examine the various archaeological sites studded with temples and pillars. Demi reached out to touch them, of course. The action pulled off Fran’s hat, which in turn pulled her hair loose from its knot. “You little monkey.” She kissed her cheeks and neck, giving up on the binoculars for the moment.

  For the next hour they slowly circled the island, but most of the time Fran simply played with the baby who stood up with her help and bounced when Nik talked to her. The baby babbled a lot, causing both of them to laugh.

  “She’s happy and says she wants to go ashore.”

  “I know you do, Demitza, but you can’t have everything you want.” Fran loved the way he talked to her.

  “I think it’s getting too hot for her, Nik. I’d better take her below.”

  “Go ahead while I drop anchor in this little cove, then I’ll join you and we’ll have an early dinner.”

  Fran carried Demi down the steps to the bedroom and changed her diaper. Once she’d put her in a little stretchy suit, she walked her into the galley to feed her. Nik had brought her swing along. It worked as a high chair.

  “I bet you’re thirsty. I’ll fix you a bottle of water first.” The baby drank some eagerly. “What would my little princess like for lunch? How about lamb and peaches?”

  She grabbed some bottled water for herself and sat down to feed Demi. After a minute Nik appeared. With his olive skin, it didn’t take much exposure from the sun to turn him into a bronzed god.

  “There’s nothing wrong with her appetite,” he observed, reaching for a water, too. He sat down next to the baby and watched the two of them. In such close quarters, Fran could hardly breathe because of his nearness. She felt his warmth and smelled the soap he’d used in the shower earlier.

  “If you want to finish feeding her, I’ll get the food out of the fridge.” Anything to keep busy so she wouldn’t concentrate on him to the exclusion of all else.

  Demi obviously adored Nik and thrived on his attention. Between his smiles and laughter, she couldn’t help but be charmed by her uncle. Nik would make a wonderful father one day. Demi was lucky to have him in her life. Just how lucky, she had no idea.

  Fran put their meal on the table—salad and rolls, fresh fruit, pastries and juice. A feast.

  “This is delicious.” She smiled at him. “I see there’s nothing wrong with your appetite either.” He’d eaten everything in sight.

  “That’s because you’re with Demi and me. We thrive under the right conditions.”

  “If you’ll notice, I ate all my food, too,” she admitted.

  He flashed her a penetrating glance. “I noticed.” After wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, he got up from the table. “Come on, little one. It’s time to sleep.” He picked up the swing with her in it and carried it into the bedroom.

  Fran followed with a bottle of formula. Once he’d turned on the mechanism that started it swinging, she handed her the bottle. Demi looked up at them and smiled the sweetest smile Fran had ever seen before she started drinking.

  Nik moved Fran over to the bed a few feet away. “We’ll have to stay here until she goes to sleep, so we might as well make ourselves comfortable.”

  She lay down on her side, facing the baby. Nik moved behind her and put his arm around her waist. His sigh filtered through her hair splayed over the pillow. “This is what I call heaven.”

  They stayed that way without moving. Fran was so content in his arms, and the sound of the swing had a hypnotizing effect on her. When she looked at Demi, the little darling had fallen asleep.

  Fran suspected the gentle roc
king of the boat had put Nik to sleep, too. But in that regard she was mistaken. In an unexpected motion he rolled her over so she was half lying on him. “Sh-h,” he said against her lips before his hungry mouth covered them in a long, languid kiss that went on and on, setting her on fire.

  Her need of him was so all-consuming, she couldn’t hold back her desire. For a time she felt transported.

  “I know I promised I’d treat you like a friend,” he whispered in a husky voice, “but it won’t work. I can’t stop what I’m feeling.” He was actually trembling. “I’ve never wanted any woman in my life the way I want you.” His fingers tightened in her hair. “Before I forget all my good intentions, you’d better hurry up on deck while you can. I’m giving you this one chance before all bets are off for good.”

  Something in his ragged tone told her he meant what he said. If she stayed here a second longer, there’d be no going back and it would be her fault, not his. It shocked her that he had more control than she did.

  But when she finally found the strength to move off the bed and get to her feet, she heard him groan. It almost sent her back into his arms until she saw Demi lying there in the swing. Fran’s gaze took in both of them.

  Neither of them will ever be yours. Go upstairs now, Fran.

  She didn’t remember her feet touching the ground. When she reached the deck, she threw off her sundress and dove into the water. It was late afternoon now, when the sun was its warmest near the shore. Delightful. But the wonder of it was wasted on Fran who swam around while she struggled with the war going on inside of her.

  Should she engage in one mad moment of passion at the age of twenty-eight, then have to live out the rest of her life tortured by the memory? Or should she do the smart thing and avoid the fire? It meant she’d never know joy. Either option was untenable. Thank goodness for the water that hid her tears.

  When she finally started back to the boat, she discovered Nik on deck holding Demi. She swam over to the side. “Demi?” she called out and waved her arm. “Can you see me?”

  “She’s squirming to jump in with you.”

  A different man had emerged from the bedroom. This one was calm and collected, her urbane host until she left Greece. She died inside, knowing the other one wouldn’t make a second appearance. As he’d said, he’d give her one chance. Fran hadn’t taken it in order to avoid sabotaging her own happiness. Now she had to pay the consequences.

  “The water’s wonderful. I’ll come onboard so you can cool off.”

  * * *

  Nik would never cool off. He’d come down with a fever when he’d first met Fran. With each passing day it had climbed higher until he was burning up. He’d already taken a big swim that morning in cooler water before anyone was up. It had done nothing to bring down his temperature. There was only one antidote, but the thought of it not working terrified him.

  Afraid to touch her, he let her climb onboard by herself. She put on her sundress over her yellow bikini. Her movements were quick, but not quick enough. At the sight of her beautiful body, he practically had a heart attack. With Demi in her swing, he could unfurl the sail and raise the anchor.

  She hunkered down next to the baby and kissed her, then looked in his direction. “Don’t you want to swim?”

  “Maybe tonight. I’d prefer to take advantage of the evening breeze on the way back. Mother will be missing Demi by now.”

  “Of course. How long did she sleep?”

  “Until five minutes ago.”

  “She doesn’t act like she’s hungry yet. I think I’ll hold her for a while.”

  Fran couldn’t keep her hands off the baby. She walked her over to the bench and sat down with her, giving her kisses on her tummy that made Demi laugh. While she was preoccupied, Nik set sail for Mykonos and guided them toward the villa. By seven-thirty, he brought the boat around and it glided gently to the dock.

  In a few minutes he helped her out of the boat with Demi and followed with the swing. No one was on the patio yet. That was good. At the top of the steps he put the swing down and they entered the villa without passing any family members who might pick up on the tension between them.

  “I’ll start Demi’s bath,” Fran called over her shoulder. “When she’s dressed, you can take her to your mother.”

  “Good. I’ll pick out an outfit.” He opened the cupboard and reached for a sundress. In the drawer he found some white stockings and little matching shoes. He put everything on the bed. When he peered in the bathroom, Fran had just finished washing the baby’s hair.

  She looked up. “Demi’s such an easy baby, she’s a joy.”

  “She has Melina’s nature.”

  When Fran lifted the baby from the water, he grabbed a towel and wrapped her in it before carrying her into the bedroom. For just a moment it hit him that his sister really was gone. Tears stung his eyelids. He hugged the baby to him while he fought to regain his composure.

  “It’s all right to cry, Nik,” Fran murmured gently. “Even Atlas has do it once in a while. The problem is, emotion catches up with you when you least expect it. I know what that’s like. Even if it’s a horrible adage, the pain will ease with time.”

  He lifted his head. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Nik lay the baby on the bed and dried her hair.

  “Oh—what a darling outfit!”

  “I bought it for her several months ago, but it was too big at the time.”

  “Now it’s the perfect size! With her skin she’d look beautiful in any color, but I dare say peppermint pink trumps them all.” She held it up in front of Demi. “Don’t you love it, sweetheart? Your uncle picked this one out especially for you.”

  The baby got all excited and touched the hem. Warmed by Demi’s reaction, Nik’s crushing sense of loss faded. He got busy powdering and diapering her. Fran’s eyes shimmered a violet blue as she handed the dress to him. “You do the honors.”

  “When I bought this, I never dreamed I’d be the one putting it on her.” His fingers fumbled with the two buttons in the back. Fran helped the baby to sit up so he could fasten it. Then she put the stockings and shoes on her tiny feet.

  “One more minute while we comb her hair.” Fran dashed over to the dresser for it. “She has a head of natural curl. What a lucky girl.” Nik watched her style it to perfection. “There you go.” She kissed her on both cheeks. “Now you’re all ready to go see your yiayia and papou.”

  “How did you know those words?” She continually surprised him in wonderful ways.

  “I’ve been listening to the children talk. In France I used to walk through the park near our school and practice my French with them. They make terrific teachers, Kyrie Angelis.”

  To hear her speak any Greek excited him no end. “I’m impressed.”

  “Why don’t you take Demi to find your folks? I’ll hurry and shower so I’ll be available if you need me. But I’m hoping she had such a good time with us, she’ll be able to enjoy her grandparents without me before she has to go to bed.”

  Nik left the room carrying Demi and found his parents in the living room talking with Stavros’s parents. He’d been so focused on his own pain, he’d forgotten they mourned their son and needed Demi’s love, too. Four pairs of eyes lit up when they saw their granddaughter decked out like a little princess. For the next few minutes he sat with them while the baby was passed around. Dinner was about to be served. They gravitated to the patio where the rest of the family had congregated.

 
; He put Demi in her swing with a fresh bottle of formula and told them he’d be back. On the way to his apartment he swung by Fran’s. There was something he had to say to her, and he couldn’t put it off any longer.

  “Fran?” He knocked on her door.

  His breath caught when she opened it wearing a pair of pleated tan pants and a white blouse. Fresh from the shower, she’d fastened her damp hair at the back of her head with a clip. She’d picked up some sun and wore no makeup, except a frosted pink lipstick, because she didn’t need any.

  “I take it Demi’s all right so far.”

  “I left her on the patio with the family. We’ll see how she does. Before I shower and change, I need to talk to you. It’s important. May I come in?”

  “Of course.”

  He shut the door with his back and lounged against it. “What happened on the boat made me realize I can’t go on this way any longer.”

  * * *

  Fran stood a few feet away from him, rubbing her hips with her palms in a nervous gesture. “Neither can I. While I was showering I came to the decision that I have to leave in the morning, no matter what.”

  “I have another solution.”

  “There’s isn’t another one.”

  “There is, but I’ve hesitated to mention it because we’ve only known each other a week. I want you to marry me.”

  “Marry?”

  The world spun. She turned clumsily and sank down on the side of the bed before she fell. Kellie’s warning rang in her ears. He’ll do anything to get you to take care of Demi.

  “You don’t want to marry me,” she whispered.

  “You’re terrified again.”

  She looked away from him. The nerve palpitating at the base of her throat almost choked her. “You know the thrill will wear off.”

  “I’ve never been married, but you have. That’s your bad experience talking.”

  “Be serious, Nik.”

  “I don’t know how to get any more serious. I just asked you to be my wife and am waiting for an answer.”