it.”
Lys couldn’t stop laughing. “Do you think your doctor will let you go on in your position as executive pastry chef?”
“I’ve already talked to my ob about that. He’s monitoring me carefully and will tell me when it’s time to quit. Vincenzo and I have already talked to Cesare, who is in the process of looking for a replacement.”
“I don’t know,” Lys murmured. “Takis says you walk on water.”
“She does,” Dimi’s fiancée concurred.
Gemma grinned. “Stop it, you two. There are plenty of great cooks out there and there’s still plenty of time.” She eyed Lys. “I’m so excited for you and Takis. He’s the most gorgeous, wonderful man. He’ll move mountains for you because it’s the way he’s made.”
“I knew that about him before we even met and was halfway in love with him sight unseen.”
“You really never met him when he was working in New York?” Filippa couldn’t believe it.
“No. I was a sixteen-year-old high school student when he first started working for my father and I was hardly ever at the hotel. A year later my father died and Nassos brought me to Crete.”
“Takis’s story is an incredible one. So is yours,” Gemma murmured. “I’m so glad you’ll be spending some time at the castello after your honeymoon. Takis loves it there.”
Gemma nodded. “We can’t wait to all be together. The men have missed him more than you can imagine, Lys. You have to promise you’ll fly to Milan often or life won’t be the same around the place.”
“It’s true,” Filippa said with a smile. “Dimi looks upon him as a brother. They’re all so close.”
“I think it’s very touching,” Lys murmured.
“In case you didn’t know, that man can’t wait to marry you. Dimi says if he has to wait one more day, he’s not going to make it.”
“I feel the same way.”
“We can tell.” Gemma chuckled. “Since we’ve been given our specific instructions, we’d better hurry out to the limo to meet the men.”
“They’re taking us to lunch,” Filippa informed Lys. “We don’t dare be late or Vincenzo will come charging in here to find out what’s wrong with Gemma.”
Laughter broke out as they made their way down to the lobby. Lys hadn’t known what it was like to have a sibling. Now she felt she’d acquired several for life.
* * *
The next day Lys stood before the black-robed priest dressed in floor-length white silk and lace. She carried a sheaf of purple roses that matched the genuine purple sapphire earrings Takis had given her as a prewedding gift.
During their midmorning wedding ceremony at the flower-decked church in Heraklion, surrounded by their families and a few close friends, Lys was in a complete daze.
The sight of Takis, her tall Cretan prince in his dark blue suit and wedding crown, pushed everything else out of her mind. That picture of him would be engraved in her thudding heart forever. He was now her husband, the most wonderful, gorgeous man in the entire world!
As they were led in the walk around the table three times where they drank from the cup, signifying their journey through life together, she prayed you couldn’t die of happiness. By keeping his vow to her, he’d made this sacred moment meaningful in a way nothing else could have done. But now that she was his wife, she couldn’t wait to show him what he meant to her.
They would be spending time on the yacht Danae had offered them, but where they were headed was a secret. Every time she thought about their wedding night and being alone with him, waves of desire swept through her. Once they left the church, she was scarcely cognizant of their helicopter flight to Kasos for the reception.
Danae had outdone herself to make Takis’s family and friends comfortable. She’d arranged for every one of them to stay overnight where they could swim and eat and enjoy this wedding holiday.
What delighted Lys most were the three children who adored their uncle Takis and hung around the two of them. The girls touched her dress and veil and asked dozens of questions.
Deep inside Lys hoped she’d get pregnant soon. When she saw how happy he was teasing them, playing with them, that day couldn’t come soon enough. The second bedroom upstairs would make the perfect nursery when the time came and she knew the color she wanted.
In the midst of the excitement, Takis’s father stood to make a toast. “I’m the proudest of men to see my last remarkable child married to a lovely woman who I hope will do her Cretan duty and provide us with more grandchildren.” He’d read Lys’s mind.
Takis gripped her hand and clung to it.
After Nikanor’s toast, Dimi stood up. “I couldn’t love Takis more if he were my own brother. I’m thrilled he married a woman I already love. Lys has accomplished something no one else could ever do by putting the light in his eyes that was missing.”
“It’s true,” Takis whispered against her ear.
Lukios followed with a toast. “Guess what, Dimi? I am blood and couldn’t be prouder of my remarkable brother, whose greatest achievement is sitting next to him. Welcome to the family, Lys.”
She teared up while other toasts followed. Eventually Cesare raised his glass of champagne. “Here’s to the groom, a man who kept his head even while he lost his heart. I was there at the castello the day he lost it and witnessed the earthshaking event with my own eyes.”
Everyone roared, especially Takis, whose laughter told Lys it was a private joke between the two of them. She’d have to ask him about it later.
Then Vincenzo gave the final toast and lifted his glass. “Here’s to the newest Manolis couple on Crete. Like my beloved wife and me, may they remain lovers for all of life and the hereafter.”
“You can plan on it!” Takis declared without shame, causing everyone to laugh and clap. Then he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It’s time for you to change. We’re taking a helicopter ride to the yacht. Hurry. I can’t wait to get you alone.”
Those words said in his deep voice charged her body and she left for her bedroom to put on the stylish new cream-colored suit she and Danae had picked for her. She pinned a purple rose corsage to the shoulder. It was heaven to be out of mourning at last. The sorrow of the past was gone. With Takis waiting for her, there was nothing but joy ahead.
Twenty minutes later everyone followed them outside to the helicopter. Twilight had crept over them. Lys hugged Danae, both of them shedding happy tears. “I have no doubt your parents and Nassos were looking on today.”
A sob caught in her throat. “I think so too. I love you. Thank you for everything and for making his family and friends so welcome. We’ll be back soon.”
“You’ve married a very exciting man, Lys. I envy you for what’s in store.”
Lys watched Takis hug his family before he helped her climb on board
