Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (14 page)

Around them, several photographers, friends and colleagues
of Steve raised their cameras. “With so many members of the military and
anchormen from KNR attending the wedding, we’ll probably run a quickie in the
news,” Lou muttered.

Barbara beamed. “Elias and Marie Diab will be delighted. Oh
my! Their daughter’s wedding on TV. They are staying with me for a month with
little Michael until Steve and Leila return from Iraq. You gave him another
assignment there, Lou?”

“He didn’t mind. They’re combining it with their honeymoon,
and I think Leila will liquidate the apartment in Baghdad since her parents
don’t plan to return.”

“Where will they live now?” Lou asked.

“They bought an apartment in Florida in my building. Marie
is such a dear friend,” Barbara explained.

“Greg and I chose the Diabs to be our daughters’ godparents.
They love to take care of Lucia and Julia.”

“We better take our seats,” Greg suggested. “The bridal
limousine has arrived.”

“Mom, can you hold Lucia during the wedding? I’ll be
standing next to the bride as her maid of honor and witness.” Leila didn’t want
a formal cortege since she didn’t have other friends in the U.S. yet. Roxanne
handed the giggling baby to her mother and proceeded to stand at the altar
across from the groom and his brother.

Greg located Roxanne’s sister, Tiffany, and gave her Baby
Julia to hold. “I have to walk the mother of the bride to the front pew.”

The
Mendelssohn
Wedding March chimed through the cathedral.

“Oh my God. Leila is so beautiful,” Roxanne whispered.

Stiff as a pole, Steve nodded. “Gorgeous.”

“And Uncle Elias looks so proud.”

“Steve is so nervous.” Standing behind Roxanne, Greg
chuckled, forgetting how tense he’d been at his own wedding in the same
cathedral almost a year ago.

Wearing a splendid dress in embroidered lace with a long
train, her sable hair piled high on her head in an elaborate chignon partly
covered by her veil, the bride proceeded up the aisle on her father’s arm. In
front of them, Michael in a black tux and white shirt held a pillow with two
rings.

“Dearly beloved...”

After the bride and groom exchanged rings, the priest
declared them husband and wife. They kissed and turned toward the congregation.
Several men in uniform lined up in two rows along the aisle, clicked their
heels, and raised their swords in a V. Steve and Leila sauntered under the
crossed swords as the guests clapped hands.

While the newlyweds received the guests’ congratulations,
Roxanne and Greg collected their babies. Standing next to them and Barbara, Lou
contemplated them pensively.

“What’s going on, Lou?” Roxanne asked.

“I was wondering if you’re ready for a fantastic
assignment.”

“No, she’s not,” Greg answered with a scowl.

“The job is in Paris,” Lou specified with a wicked smile.

“Oh in Paris?” Roxanne spun toward her husband. “Maybe you
can come with me, darling.”

Lou nodded. “Of course he can go.”

“We don’t like to leave our daughters.” Greg’s scowl
deepened.

“For a week, it wouldn’t be a big deal to take them along.
Barbara, how would you like to visit Paris?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve been dreaming of going to Paris for
ages. I’m a small town gal who has never crossed the Atlantic, what with five
girls to raise and later the grandchildren to babysit.”

“I’ll be going along too. If you don’t mind I’d love to help
you babysit those little darlings. We’ll have a chauffeured limousine to sightsee
while Roxanne carries out her interviews.”

 “I’ll also tell Leila’s mother. I’m sure she’d love
visiting her sister-in-law in Paris. We’ll take turns babysitting,” Barbara
added with a dreamy gaze.

“Wonderful, we’ll have a great time in Paris.” Lou’s smile
would have melted a rock.

Greg dragged Roxanne aside. “Lou seems quite taken with your
mother.”

Roxanne chuckled. “He hasn’t yet discovered my mom. She can
twist him around her little finger. The question is, does she want him?”

“Darling, how about what
you
want?” Greg peered into
his wife’s turquoise eyes. “You’re really interested in the Paris assignment,
aren’t you?”

“Only if you and the girls come with me. I promised you that
my career will never interfere with our family life.”

“Then I’ll take a week’s vacation and we’ll all go. I
promised you that your happiness is more important to me than anything in the
world.” Enfolding babies and mother in his arms, Greg kissed his beautiful
wife. “Wherever you want to go, we’ll be together.”                        

THE END

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Valentine Babies

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* * * *

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