Page 77 of Marriage Masquerade
Gemma’s eyes drifted shut.
“I'd love nothing better.”
Nikos was not a man to resist a blatant invitation. His mouth closed over hers again and he kissed his wife with all the love in his heart. Tomorrow he’d show her the beauty of Greece. They’d spend a week alone, truly beginning their lives together. And when it was time, they’d return to their home in New York stronger than ever in their marriage—because of the endless ties of love.
Epilogue
“It’s a girl,” the doctor said as the lusty cries filled the birthing room.
“We have a daughter,” Nikos said with satisfaction.
Gemma promptly burst into tears. She clung to her husband’s hand and tried to smile through the tears.
“Is she all right?” she asked.
“Looks perfect,” the doctor said, laying the baby on Gemma’s stomach. Nikos reached out to run a finger down her cheek, and she stopped crying, her wide infant eyes turning to him.
“She’s beautiful,” he murmured. “Just like her mother.”
Gemma blinked furiously, trying to see clearly. “Looks tiny and red and—”
“Hush, love. She'll be as beautiful as you.”
Nikos leaned over to kiss her, his fingers lacing through hers.
“Or almost. I doubt anyone will ever be that lovely.”
Gemma smiled and tightened her grip. “I love you,” she said.
“I love you and Alicia.”
“Is that what we decided we'll call her?”
“Unless you prefer another name. As you said when suggesting Alicia, it's in memory of your mother. We can name our next daughter for my mother. My parents are eager for us to visit so they can see Alicia and you.”
“I’m glad they’ve accepted me.”
“Accepted? Darling, they love you for yourself and because you’ve made me so happy.”
“Even your father?”
“Even him. Shall we go for a quick visit to Greece as soon as you and our daughter are ready, so we can show her off?”
“Whatever you say,” Gemma said, fascinated by the baby, who was now looking around as if taking in the brand-new world she'd just entered.
“We’ll clean her up and bring her to you in a few minutes,” the nurse said briskly, wrapping a warm blanket around the infant and whisking her away.
“Is this new docility going to continue?” Nikos asked to distract her when he saw the look on her face at the departure of her new daughter.
“What?” She looked at him. “What docility?”
“Whatever I say?”
“That’s temporary until I’m in fighting shape again.”
“But we rarely fight,” he said, smiling in memory of some of the terrificdiscussionsthey’d had. And the making up afterward.
She laughed and reached up to pull him closer.
“I love you, Nikos. You’ve made my life perfect.”
“Ah, Gemma, only God is perfect. But you and I together come pretty darn close.”
