Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (4 page)

“So far a professional relationship?” Greg studied the
blinking of her eyes and light twitching of her lips.

“A platonic relationship. We exchanged emails when I was in
the States and I often called him on his phone. When I returned to Baghdad, we
spent time together, with his parents, or walking through the streets around my
hotel.” She stared straight ahead, recalling her sad romance. “He was handsome
and energetic. A decorated officer so confident and patriotic. Very different
from the guys I knew back home.”

“Huh?” Did she bunch him with the
guys back home
?
Greg’s impassivity deserted him. Jealousy pinched his guts. He tried to smother
it and concentrate on her story. “And then?”

 “He said he loved me and wanted to marry me. His
background and deep religious feelings didn’t allow pre-marital sex. I was
impressed by his dignity and admired him a lot.” She lowered her head.

His back rigid, Greg studied her and carefully controlled
his own expressions. He didn’t dare ask if she loved Nabil, although his
insides gnawed in frustration.

“On my last trip there, we kissed a few times behind the
stairs of his apartment building. There was no privacy. We went to my hotel
room to chat. I was leaving the next day and he was going back to his post. The
temptation was too strong.” She blushed and lowered her head, not going into
details Greg didn’t want to hear. “Then he apologized, ashamed he’d dishonored
me. As if I cared,” she added with a shrug.

“Did you two get engaged?”

She shook her head. “No. I thought it was too soon. We
didn’t know each other well enough,” she explained, too reasonably.

Her rational behavior stunned Greg. After a blissful night
with a man she’d cared for, he’d expect a woman to declare her undying love for
him.

In spite of the drama she now faced, a satisfied peace
filled him. The dead officer hadn’t been a beloved fiancé whom she’d mourn
forever. Although the man left her with child and unintentionally made sure,
she could never wipe his memory from her mind. Or from any other man’s.

“You went home the next day.” Greg wanted her to keep
sharing her sorrow.

“Yes.” Her lips drew into a poignant line. “But the
unexpected happened. I told him I might be pregnant and I booked an appointment
with a doctor for after the holidays. Nabil went into a frenzy of orders. I
should present my resignation right away and come back to Baghdad. We’d marry
before anyone discovered the truth. His father would disown him if he heard he
conceived a child out of wedlock. Besides,
his son
had
to be born
on his ancestors’ land. These things are important over there.”

Greg had trouble picturing the strong-headed Roxanne in a
country where men controlled their households. “Different culture.”

 “Very.” She huffed. “Nabil insisted we’d live with his
parents. I was stunned and protested.” She wrinkled the sheet, staring far
away. “He tried to appease me and promised that we’d move to the U.S. when the
war was over.”

“So how did you answer?” Had she decided to dump him? Or had
he changed his mind? Greg’s hospital stories didn’t compare to this war drama.

“It was a cold shower for me. I pondered his demands for a
few days. I may be expecting his baby, but...” Her voice quivered. “To leave my
job, my family, my country, my whole life, and go live with his parents in an
apartment in a war zone. No way. I just couldn’t do it.”

“And?” Greg prompted. At least she had the good sense to
analyze the situation realistically.

“I couldn’t persuade him to come here. He begged me to
understand he couldn’t abandon his post or betray his family principles by
announcing a child before the marriage vows. Our discussion turned bitter. Our
first and last argument.”

Greg observed her, afraid to say a wrong word. He’d let her
vent as much as she needed to.

She dropped her head between her hands and wailed, “God, I
wish I’d been more understanding. I tried calling him again two days later. He
wouldn’t answer his phone all day.” She raised her head. Silent tears rolled
down her face. “Yesterday morning I received an email from his sister Leila
announcing the tragedy.”

“Only yesterday? No wonder you were devastated and couldn’t
come to the wedding rehearsal.” To think she had to lead the nuptial cortege to
the altar when she’d just learned the father of her child had died. A wave of
compassion swamped him. He wiped her eyes and her cheeks with a tissue. “I’m
glad you trusted me and confided your secret.” He couldn’t believe they’d met
only a few hours ago. So much bonded them already. “You can count on me.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a little smile that warmed him all
over. Her gaze lowered and she patted her belly. “I hope you’ll be my
obstetrician. I need a good one.”

“Of course. Are you worried about raising a child alone?”

“Not at all.” She lifted her chin. “I make a good living and
will have no problem supporting my kid.”

“What about your job, your trips abroad?”

 “I’ll cut down on the traveling. If I have to go I’ll
take him with me with a nanny, or if the place isn’t safe, I’ll leave him with
Mom. She’s so good with children. But...” she averted her gaze.

She had it all figured out. So why was she anxious? He
raised his eyebrows. She answered his silent question.

“I’m so sorry, so sad. Nabil died after...after we argued.
If I hadn’t upset him, he might have been more alert.” Guilt ravaged her
beautiful features. “In a way, it’s my fault—”

“No,” Greg said in a forceful tone to convince her. “Don’t
ever think it. You were entitled to your opinion. It’s not your fault that he
died. He was killed by a terrorist. And his bother too.”

She winced and sniffled. “But you see, I owe him. I never
said goodbye. I hung up on him and he died after that.” She laid her head back
on the pillow and closed her eyes. “How can I ever forgive myself? I must make
amends.”

“Stop it, Roxanne. You’re going to make yourself sick with
this guilt. You have nothing, absolutely nothing to do with his death.” He
caught her hands to stop them from crushing the sheet. She’d lamented about
guilt and duty. What about love?

Had she loved Nabil? She’d been ready to marry him if he’d
agreed to come to the U.S.

“He wanted his son to be born on his ancestors’ land.” She
bit her lip.

“As your doctor, I’d say, out of the question. Too
dangerous. Can you imagine having a baby in a war zone? Do they have enough
doctors?”

“No. And even fewer nurses,” she added with a sigh.

“Besides, you said the young man didn’t want his parents to
know that...that...” Damn it, Greg would rather not talk about it. He couldn’t
get himself to say Nabil’s name either, as though it could make the deceased
more significant to Roxanne and raise a wall between her and Greg.

“This is my big dilemma. To deprive his parents of their
grandson after they lost their own two sons. Or to destroy Nabil’s honorable
name by revealing that...that...we gave in to temptation.”

Finally Greg realized the depth of the conflict that had
been eating at her all day, in addition to losing a man she may have loved. But
he’d do his utmost to prevent her from going back into a dangerous country.

“They don’t have other grandchildren?”

“Only one. His brother, Tarek, had a one-year old boy.
Michael, an adorable chubby toddler. He used to sit on my lap. I always brought
him candies and toys when I visited.”

“The brother and his family also live with the parents?”

Roxanne shook her head, her face a mask of dejection.
“Tarek’s wife died shortly after her son’s birth. The grandmother took care of
the baby.”

Usually, Greg would do his best to reassure his patients.
But Roxanne was far from being an ordinary patient. “This alone should convince
you not to go. You’d risk your baby’s life and yours.”

“Don’t say that.”

“What else can I say? You know the area and its dangers
better than I do. Think carefully before making such a crucial decision.” They
stared at each other silently.

His cell phone rang, interrupting their conversation. “Dr.
Hayes, speaking.”

“Greg, it’s Nick. The wedding reception has ended. We’re
about to retire for the night. There’s a snow storm outside. We don’t want Mrs.
Ramsay and Roxanne to go home in this weather. Is Roxy with you?”

“Yes, she’s with me.”

“Madelyn wants to talk to her.”

He handed her the phone. “Your sister.”

Roxanne listened then replied. “It was a lovely reception...
A lot of fun... I just had cramps... Yes, like last night... I’m fine now.
Really I am.”

Apparently Madelyn had been aware of her sister’s
indisposition. Judging by Roxanne’s tone of voice, an argument had started
between the young women.

“No way... Forget it... I can’t dump everything and go to
Florida now... I know your condo is available... I’m not sick... Just a bit
tired... Okay, okay... I’ll think about it. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. See
you tomorrow.”

Roxanne cut the connection and scowled. “Madelyn is
concerned about my health. Can you imagine? She’s suggesting, actually
insisting, I should go to Fort Lauderdale and relax on the beach. Now of all
times.”

“Excellent idea.”
Bless you, Madelyn
. A muscle
twitched in his jaw. “It would help you physically and mentally to take a
break. You’ll be away from the family and their questions. You’ll breathe some
fresh air. And you’ll have plenty of time to ponder the situation and decide
what to do.”

“Are you serious?” She squinted at him as if he’d lost his
mind.

“Very serious. I’m driving back tomorrow after brunch. Come
with me. We’ll talk more during the trip.” He smiled. “Not all women have an
obstetrician keeping an eye on their health while they travel.”

She peered at him, then arched her eyebrows. “How come
you’re driving? It’s a sixteen hour trip.”

Did she have to ask
that
question? Embarrassed, he
averted his gaze. “I can’t fly.”

“Why?”

Oh dang.
“I just can’t. I never fly.”

“Why?” Her eyes rounded. “Are you afraid?”

He stiffened. “Not exactly afraid, but—”

“A grownup man, a doctor afraid of flying. That is so sweet.
One day, I’ll take you on a plane and help you forget your fear.”

Annoyed, he crossed his arms. “Well, will you come with me
to Florida tomorrow?”

Her head tilted, she bit her lip and considered him for a
moment.

“Yes. I’ll take a week off. Being on my own will do me a
world of good.” She rubbed her stomach.

He wasn’t planning on leaving her
on her own
after
hospital hours, but he kept his mouth shut. The important thing was to take her
with him and make sure she wouldn’t jump on a plane and head to some
God-forsaken country, out of guilt. He knew that treacherous feeling well
enough. His mother handed it to him as generously as he distributed vitamins to
his patients.

“Great. Tomorrow morning, you can pack before brunch. We’ll
leave right after.”

“I hope I’ll be able to decide if it’s better to go see the
Diabs now, and tell them about the baby. Or stay here and wallow in regrets.”

Neither one
. Greg wasn’t going to let her bemoan the
past forever.

Chapter Four

“Celia, come back here, sweetie pie.” Roxanne ran after her
niece who already paddled in the soft waves and scooped her up in her arms.
Chubby arms folded around Roxanne’s neck. A fragrance of sunscreen and baby
lotion fluttered her heart with a new emotion. One day soon, she’d have a
similar darling to cuddle. She dropped noisy kisses on the little girl’s cheeks
and received moist smooches and giggles in response.

Four weeks had already passed since the wedding. Roxanne
didn’t regret coming with Greg to Fort Lauderdale. She’d spent many hours
working on her laptop and emailing reports and articles to her boss.

Madelyn and Nick had returned from their honeymoon two days
ago, picked up their daughters in Kentucky, and flown back to Fort Lauderdale
the night before. While watching the girls play on the sand, Roxanne had
related the whole situation to Madelyn.

“Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry you had to go through all this
heartache at my wedding.” Madelyn hugged her. “I noticed something was going
wrong but I thought you had a stomach bug as you told us the night before.”

“Coming here with Greg has helped me a lot, physically and
emotionally.” In between hours on her laptop or phone, Roxanne had lain on the
beach and analyzed her circumstances. Or walked on the sand and remembered the
past. Or shared a dinner with Greg and weighed the plusses and minuses, until a
migraine developed.

“I can’t believe it will soon be Valentine’s Day. The stores
are all decorated with hearts and pink ribbons. Our building is throwing a
Valentine’s party,” Madelyn announced. “Will you be able to attend?”

“I don’t know if I’ll still be in Florida.”

“Wawa,” Celia wailed.

“Wawa, wawa,” her sister Liana echoed.

“If you want to play in the water, we’ll go to the pool.”
Madelyn strapped her huge beach bag on her shoulder and gathered up Celia in
her arms. “I’m glad I’m off today and tomorrow to spend time with the girls.”

Roxanne secured Liana against her hip and picked up the toys
bag.

“Wawa.” Celia screamed and fidgeted to free herself.

“The ocean is too big for you,” Madelyn patiently explained
to her daughters.

Liana giggled. “Wawa beee-g.” The little sweetheart opened
her arms wide, and her twin immediately imitated her.

They went up to the pool and sat their bags on the patio
table. “The girls are covered with sand. I’ll give them a shower before
entering the pool.” Madelyn washed them one after the other, sprayed them with
sun lotion, and put a hat on each little head.