LITMIR.BIZ

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inside, she brought out the big quilt and put it on the living-room floor where they could stretch out while she changed them. With that accomplished she put them in their white and yellow stretchy suits. The colors brought out the warm tone of their olive complexions. She kissed their necks. “Umm, you smell sweet.”

      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

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