Double Trouble: Newborn Twins: Doorstep Twins / Those Matchmaking Babies / Babies in the Bargain

When she heard the knock, she jumped up and darted over to the door to open it. The tall, slender brunette beauty on the other side couldn’t be much older than Gabi’s twenty-five years. She’d worn makeup but it didn’t disguise the telltale signs of pain. Gabi detected a distinct pallor and her eyelids were swollen from too much crying.

“You must be Deline.” She spoke first. Her heart ached for the other woman who’d found the courage to come and at least see the children.

“Yes. I understand you’re Thea Paulos’s half sister Gabriella.”

“That’s right. Please come in.” She had a dozen questions, but didn’t ask one. This was too significant a moment to intrude on Deline’s personal agony. She followed her into the living room where the twins were lying on their backs making infant sounds. Their compact bodies were in constant motion.

Gabi’s lungs constricted while she waited for a reaction from Leon’s wife. It wasn’t long in coming.

A pained cry escaped her lips and she sank into one end of the sofa as if her legs could no longer support her. Tears gushed down her cheeks. “They look exactly like him, but they should have been our children,” came her tortured whisper.

By now moisture had bathed Gabi’s face. “I’m so sorry, Deline. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me for contacting Andreas. When I went to his office, I thought h-he was their father,” she stammered.

“Andreas told me everything.” Deline shook her head. “But a situation like this would never have happened to him. Unlike Leon, he doesn’t lose his head when he’s down or upset. That’s why he was made the head of the company over Leon after their father suffered his heart attack.”

“I didn’t realize.” Gabi knew so little really.

“When Andreas is married, his wife will be able to trust him to the death.”

The blood pounded in her ears. “Is he getting married soon?”

“Irena’s expecting a proposal any day now. She’s his girlfriend and my best friend. Her family owns one of the major newspapers here in Greece. She heads the travel section department.”

All of a sudden Gabi had to reach for the nearest chair and sit down. Swallowing hard, she said, “Will they be married soon?”

“Irena’s hoping so. He’s in Athens with her this weekend.”

Gabi had to fight not to break down hysterically. It appeared Andreas and Leon had more in common than Deline knew.

Last night Andreas had kissed her senseless. If Gabi hadn’t pulled away when she did, she’d have made the same mistake as Thea. When he’d told her he didn’t have a wife, she’d taken it to mean he didn’t have a romantic interest of any kind at the moment. What a naïve fool she was!

Yet none of it mattered in light of what Deline was going through. Gabi was being incredibly selfish to be thinking about herself at a time like this.

“How can I help you, Deline? I’d like to.”

She looked down at the children. “You can’t. I’ve loved Leon forever and always wanted his baby so badly, but it never happened. Now that I’m going to divorce him, there won’t ever be that possibility. Life’s so unfair.” Sobs shook her body.

Gabi’s heart sank to her feet. “I agree. My father lost his daughter early, and Thea didn’t live long enough to raise her babies. I’m convinced that if she hadn’t developed a heart problem, she would never have told me anything and this situation wouldn’t have arisen.”

“But it did,” Deline stated flatly, “and Leon wants his sons, which is only natural. He’s told his family, so that’s it.” She jumped up from the couch. “This morning he came to my parents’ home and begged me to fly here and see the children before I did anything else.

“I know what he’s hoping for, but he doesn’t understand. Even if I wanted to stay with him and was willing to give our marriage one more chance, I don’t see me in their countenances.” Her voice broke. “I’m afraid I’ll always see her and resent them even though they’re innocent in all this.”

Gabi felt such a wrench, she got up and put her arms around Deline. “I admire you for your gut honesty,” she cried softly. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”

Deline relaxed enough to hug her back. When they finally let go she asked, “What will you do now?”

“As soon as Leon comes for the children, I’m going back to Crete and then on to the States. My job is waiting for me.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a manager at an advertising agency. It’s a fascinating business I like very much.” For the twins’ sake if nothing else, she had to keep giving herself that pep talk in front of them. If she ever truly broke down, she might not get herself back together again. “Do you work?”

“Not yet, but I have a friend who has offered to let me work in a hotel gift shop. I’m thinking of doing that so I don’t fall apart.”

Good for her! Gabi could relate. Deline wasn’t only wonderful, she had a backbone. “I wish you the very best. I hope you know I mean that.”

While they’d been talking, Kris started to whimper. Gabi picked him up to comfort him.

Deline studied her for a moment while dashing the tears off her face. “I was prepared not to like you, but having met you I’ve discovered that’s impossible.”

Gabi’s eyes filled again. Leon was losing a perfectly fabulous woman. How sad that he and Thea had ever met. Because of that pregnancy, Thea was no longer alive. But following that thought, if they’d never gotten together, there’d be no babies. She would never have met Andreas. No matter how hurt she was, Gabi could never wish the three of them didn’t exist.

She walked Deline to the door. “Did you fly here?”

“In the helicopter with Leon. He’s gone on to the villa. When he knows I’ve left the island, he’ll be over.”

Things were moving fast. “I hope you have a safe flight.”

Before she could respond, the baby hiccupped, proving a distraction for Deline, who couldn’t help examining his dear little face. “Which one is he?”

“Kris.”

“The one who has to have the heart surgery?”

“Yes.”

“He looks well.”

“I know, but he tires more easily and fusses more than Nikos. He’s a little smaller, too. When they’re grown, he’ll probably be an inch shorter. The doctor said this first operation is going to make a big difference.”

Her lower lip quivered. “H-he’s so sweet.” Her voice caught before she turned away with an abruptness Gabi understood. “I have to go.” She hurried off.

“Take care,” she called after her.

Oh, Deline…

Chapter Six

WITH a heavy heart Gabi closed the door. After feeding the babies, she put them down for their nap before checking her watch. It was ten after two. She phoned her mother, but all she got was her voice mail. Gabi left a message that she’d be returning to Heraklion without the children.

While she waited for Leon to come for his boys, she checked airline schedules and ferry crossings to Crete. There wouldn’t be another flight out of the island airport until tomorrow, but there was a ferry to Kimolos leaving from the pier at five-thirty. From there she would take another ferry to Heraklion.

She needed one more day to be with her parents and get her packing done. Then she’d fly to Athens and make a connecting flight to Washington, D.C. Without the twins to care for, it was imperative she put an ocean between her and Andreas.

A knock on the door broke her concentration. “Gabi? Are you in there?”

It was Leon’s voice. She hurried across the room to open it. He looked worse than Deline, as if he hadn’t slept in days. “Come in. Your wife said you’d be over.”

He followed her into the living room. “I’m not going to have a wife much longer.”

There was nothing she could say to comfort him on that score. He knew better than to ask her questions about their conversation since she couldn’t answer them out of respect for Deline. “But you do have two little babies who need their daddy. What plans have you made?”

“For the time being I’m going to keep them with me at my villa here. Estelle, the housekeeper, is going to take over as their nanny until I can find a permanent one. Mother will help. The family is around right now, turning one of the bedrooms into a nursery. Everyone’s anxious to help me get them settled. Needless to say, my parents are eager to love their newest grandchildren.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Gabi?” His bloodshot eyes had gone moist. “I’m aware of how much you and your parents love them. This has to be a very difficult moment for you.”

“It is. I won’t lie to you about that, but you gave them life. They need you more than my folks and I need them. The sooner you take over, the sooner they’re going to become yours, heart and soul.”

“You know my home will always be open to you.”

“Of course. In two months I plan to fly back to Crete to see my parents for a week. By then Kris will have had his operation and be recovered in time for all of us to have a reunion.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it. We’ll have a family party where everyone can get acquainted.”

Gabi wondered how she would live until she saw them or Andreas again. “The next time you’re with your brother, please tell him thank you for making the arrangements here. It’s been a lovely vacation for me.”

“Andreas is the greatest friend a person could have.”

I know.

Together they packed up the children’s things and put them in his car. Leon had already installed two infant carseats in the back. Then came time to carry the children out of the house and buckle them in.

Throughout the process they stayed asleep, not having any idea that the next time they woke up, they’d be home with their daddy for the rest of their lives. And Andreas would always be their loving uncle…

Such lives they were going to lead being the sons of a Simonides!

She was thrilled for them. For herself, she was dying inside from too many losses in one day. Don’t lose it yet, Gabi. Remember why you sought out Andreas in the first place.

Leon came around and hugged her hard. “You’ve been a guardian angel all this time. I’m never going to forget. Before I go, let’s program in each other’s cell-phone numbers. I’m afraid I’ll be calling you pretty constantly until I get the hang of being a father. The children will be wanting you all the time.”

“For a day or two maybe.”

Gabi ran back in the house to get her phone. In a minute they were both set and there was nothing else to detain him. He climbed in behind the steering wheel. She shut the door. Leon pressed her hand one more time before turning on the motor.

Leave now before my little darlings open their eyes.

She waved until everything became a blur.

The minute the helicopter touched down on the helipad behind the villa on Milos, Andreas climbed out. He’d just come from Irena’s, where he’d told her everything. She deserved to know about the twins and the strange circumstances that had brought Gabi into his life.

Even in her pain, Irena demonstrated a rare graciousness before he said goodbye. Now he was anxious to find his brother. He assumed everyone was out at the pool enjoying dinner. After he ate, he’d disappear with his brother.

As he drew closer he could hear his family talking. They sounded more animated than usual. He couldn’t help but be curious over the reason why. When he descended the last flight of steps, he saw their large clan congregated around Leon and his parents. To his shock they were holding Kris and Nikos, but the babies weren’t happy about it.

Andreas’s heart thundered in his chest. He jerked his head to the side looking for Gabi. He felt as if it had been weeks instead of hours since he’d last seen her, but there was no sign of her.

Leon caught his glance and came striding toward him. He pulled Andreas over to the wall where they could talk in private.

“As you can see, the secret is out now. The family knows everything.”

Andreas had to admit he was relieved. Now he didn’t have to bear the burden of it alone. “Did Deline get a look at the twins?”

“This afternoon. Then she flew back to Athens. I’ll be receiving divorce papers shortly.”

Unfortunately he’d been afraid of that. “Where’s Gabi?”

“On her way home.”

It appeared Andreas had just missed her. “You mean the resort.”

“No. I mean the States. She said she’d be back in two months for a visit with her folks. That’s when I plan to get both our families together.”

Two months?

His guts froze. “You mean she’s already left Milos?”

Leon stared at him in surprise. “As far as I know.”

“And you didn’t stop her?”

His brother blinked. “Take it easy, Andreas. Why would I do that?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he fired back. “Gabi’s been their mother for the last three months. She must be out of her mind with grief right now.”

“I’m sure she is, but we both agreed it had to be this way so I could bond with my sons. In this case a complete break was necessary if the babies are going to look to me for their needs now.”

Andreas couldn’t argue with her logic or Leon’s, but after the brief intimacy they’d shared the knowledge that Gabi had left Greece made him feel as if his tether had come loose from the mother ship and he was left to float out into the dark void.

“She asked me to thank you for the vacation arrangements in Apollonia.”

He rubbed the back of his neck while he tried to take it all in. When he thought of her response on the beach, and at the door yesterday…Didn’t it mean anything to her?

“Bro?” Leon whispered. “Did you hear what I said?”

Yes. Andreas heard him, but he couldn’t waste any more time talking. “Leon? Do me a favor and make my excuses to the family while I go inside for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

While his brother stood there looking visibly perplexed, Andreas raced up the side steps. When he was out of sight of the others he called the resort. “I’d like to speak to Lena. This is Andreas Simonides.”

“One moment please.” He paced until he heard her voice. “Kyrie Simonides? What can I do for you?”

“I understand Ms. Turner checked out today. Did you order a car for her so she could be driven to the airport?”

“Not to the airport. She went to the pier to get the ferry.”

That ferry only went to Kimolos.

His adrenaline surged. “Thank you. That’s all I needed to know.”

He hung up. Gabi would have to stay there overnight until there was a different ferry to Athens tomorrow. He had time to make plans.

With his pulse racing, he rejoined the family. Two extremely miserable babies were being passed around. They were looking for the one beautiful, familiar golden angel who didn’t make up part of the dark-haired Simonides family.

No one—not his sisters, his mother or Estelle could calm them. Leon had to take over, but they still weren’t completely comforted. Andreas knew in his gut Gabi wasn’t in nearly as good a shape as the twins were.

His mother shot him a curious glance. “Where did you go? Why isn’t Irena with you?”

Now was not the time to discuss his breakup or the reason behind it. “She couldn’t make it. I had an important phone call to deal with.”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“I’m not hungry.”

She shook her head. “Your brother told us the saga about the twins and the major role you and Gabriella Turner have played in all of it. You’re a remarkable son, Andreas. I love you for your loyalty to him.”

“Deline’s destroyed all over again.”

His mother nodded. “I’m afraid she might not be able to deal with his babies, not when she wants one so badly herself.” Her eyes filled with fresh tears. “But the boys are so adorable. It’s uncanny how much they resemble you and Leon at that age.”

“They have the look of their mother, too. I saw pictures when I was at the consulate.”

“The Turner family must be devastated over their loss. Your father and I would like to meet them.”

“I’ll arrange it.” Just as soon as I catch up to Gabi.

The splotchy face and swollen eyes that looked back from the hotel-room mirror made Gabi wince. She could only hope that by the time she went aboard the ferry taking her to Heraklion later in the day, all traces of the terrible night she’d just lived through would be gone.

She finished dressing in jeans and a white sleeveless blouse. Her hair, still damp from its shampoo, was already curling. The heat would dry her out in no time. With a coat of coral lipstick, she felt a little more presentable to face the day.

After having given Leon all the babies’ things yesterday, she had only her overnight bag to carry down to the pier surrounded with its assembly of fishing boats and other craft. Small groups of tourists were slowly making their way to the same embarkation point where they could see the ferry entering the port.

She hadn’t been anywhere without the chil-dren for so long, she felt empty. Were they missing her? Her eyelids burned. The only way her parents were handling the loss was because they had each other. They were the great loves in each other’s lives.

When she’d thought she’d be raising the twins, she hadn’t met Andreas yet and had been glad she was single. Now she had nothing left except her dreams of a god who’d turned out to be too human after all. More than ever she was eager to get back to her career.

“Gabi?”

She thought she was hearing things and kept walking. When her name was called out a second time, she slowed down and turned around. By then it was too late to stifle the cry that sprang from her throat. Her overnight bag dropped to the ground.

Andreas studied her tear-ravaged face. “I thought so,” his voice rasped.

Her mouth had gone dry at the sight of him. He looked impossibly handsome wearing white cargo pants and a blue crewneck shirt with the sleeves pushed up to the elbows.

“If something’s wrong with the children, why didn’t Leon call me? He has my number.”

He scrutinized her for a moment. “Whatever happened to hello? How are you? Isn’t this a beautiful day!”

Heat spilled into her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. “A man with your kind of responsibilities doesn’t show up at an obscure port off the beaten track unless there’s a dire emergency.”

“That’s not always true or fair.” He stood there with stunning nonchalance. “You’re suddenly making judgments about me. What’s changed since we last saw each other?”

For him, nothing. Though he had a serious girlfriend right now, he enjoyed being the quintessential playboy up to the very end. Why not? Little did he know the experience with Rand had taught her two could dance to that tune.

“Absolutely nothing. Last week I told you that if Leon decided to claim the children, I had to get back to my job.”

He rubbed the side of his hard jaw absently. “I’m the one who brought you to Milos. Why didn’t you at least wait until I could make arrangements to get you back to Crete?”

She pasted on a phony smile. “Andreas—I’m a businesswoman, remember? I’m capable of looking out for myself.”

His expression tautened even more. “Didn’t it occur to you I wanted to do that for you?”

The fact that he’d shown up here proved he was hoping to pick up where they’d left off at the beach. If his girlfriend knew about the other women he played around with, then she had a high tolerance level. Gabi wasn’t made the same way.

“It’s not a case of occurring to me. You’re probably the most generous person I’ve ever known. But you’re also the head of your family’s company. Now that Leon’s been united with his children, you and I have other fish to fry, as we Americans say. I’m due for a promotion as soon as I return to Alexandria, so it’s imperative I leave Greece on the next flight out.”

His silvery eyes bored into hers. “Will one more day matter in the scheme of things?”

Yes, considering the convulsion he’d set off by his unexpected presence here. “Since my boss is expecting me, I’m afraid so. Now if you’ll excuse me, people are starting to board the ferry.”

“Let them,” he declared. “My boat will take you wherever you want to go.”

She sustained his gaze without flinching. Andreas had an agenda and insisted on taking her to her parents, so there was no point in fighting him. If she kept her wits about her, she ought to be able to handle a few more hours alone with him. Play along for a little while longer. That was the key.

“Okay. I give up. Hello, Andreas. It’s lovely to see you again. What brings you to this island on such a beautiful summer morning?”

Laughter rumbled out of him. “That’s better.”

“I’m glad you think so.” The charisma of the man had the power to raise her temperature. “My plan is to go back to Heraklion. I need to pack the rest of my things before I fly home.”

He picked up her overnight bag. “Come with me and we’ll reach Crete long before the ferry gets there.”

Andreas walked her in another direction toward a sleek-looking jet boat tied up in one of the slips. The Simonides family had a different vessel for every occasion. For this trip it was going to be just the two of them. Though she forbade it, she couldn’t stop the thrill of excitement that spread through her body to be with him again. She had to be some kind of masochist.

After helping her on board, he handed her a life jacket and told her to put it on. While she buckled up, he undid the ropes and jumped in, taking his place at the wheel. Before he could turn on the engine, she handed him a life jacket. “What’s sauce for the goose…” she teased. “Do you know the expression?”

“I know a better one.” He smiled back. “Never argue with a woman holding a weapon.” He slanted her an amused glance before taking it from her and putting it on his hard-muscled frame. She felt relief knowing that if, heaven help them, something happened on the way to Crete, he was wearing a floating device, too.

The cold, implacable head of the Simonides corporation she’d first confronted at his office was so far removed from the relaxed man driving the boat, she had trouble connecting the two. Before she knew it, they were idling out to sea at a wakeless speed.

“How long are you going to keep me in suspense about what really brought you here this morning?”

Andreas didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Not long.” He engaged the gears and the boat burst across the water like a surfaced torpedo.

Gabi had to be happy with that explanation. She was happy. Too happy to be with him when he didn’t know what it meant to be faithful to one woman. Gabi wished she didn’t care and could give in to her desire without counting the cost.

Deline was a much better woman than Gabi. She’d forgiven Leon his one-night stand with Thea. Until she’d found out about the twins…

Resigned to her fate—at least until they reached Heraklion—Gabi put her head back to feel the sun on her face. Every so often the boat kicked up spray, dappling her skin with fine droplets of water. She kept her eyes closed in an attempt to rein in her exhilaration.

The problem was, she’d fallen irrevocably in love with Andreas, the deep, painful kind that would never go away. But she’d made up her mind he would never know he was the great love of her life. Nor would she ever dare to say it out loud. An ordinary mortal reaching for the unattainable might bring on the mockery of the gods.

“Tell me something honestly, Gabi. How wedded are you to returning to your old job?”

His question jolted her back to the real world. She sat up, eyeing him through shuttered lids to keep out the blinding sun. “I’m very wedded. Besides being stimulating, it provides me a comfortable living with the promise of great things in the future. Why do you ask?”

He cut the motor, immediately creating silence except for the lapping of water against the hull. In a deft motion he left his seat long enough to produce a couple of sodas from the cooler. After handing her one, he sat down again with his well-honed body turned toward her.