took over, asking them to pose together before they got inside. After some careful maneuvering to protect her dress, they helped her into the backseat, and Nikos sat in front while Yannis drove.
“Oh, Nikos!” she cried softly when they’d traveled a distance up the hillside. The small domed gray-and-white church of Agios Dionysios stood overlooking the sea. “How beautiful! I can’t believe we’re going to be married here.”
“My wife and I were married in that same church forty years ago,” Yannis said over his shoulder.
“Were you childhood sweethearts?”
“How did you know?”
Her gentle chuckle found new areas inside Nikos’s body to warm. “Do you have children?”
“Two married sons and six grandchildren. They’re fishermen and live here.”
“You’re a very lucky man.”
“It was a lucky day when Nikos met you.”
Well, well. Stephanie’s takeover of Yannis was now complete.
“Thank you, Yannis.”
The next few minutes were a blur as they pulled up to the church’s parking area, where the Gregerov family was waiting en masse to greet them. Nikos introduced her to Tassos’s parents, Castor and Tiana Gregerov, and his pretty wife, Elianna, who had dark blond hair. The other women were various shades of brunette. More pictures were taken. Nikos had hired a professional photographer to film everything.
In the rush he noticed Tassos reach for Stephanie and press something in her hand. Nikos was curious to know what it was, but he would have to wait. He saw her eyes glisten with tears before she kissed him on the cheek.
After embracing Tassos’s mother, Nikos reached for Stephanie and they proceeded inside the church. He cupped her elbow, taking care with her veil, and walked to the front, where a dozen sprays of flowers filled the nave with perfume. He’d made certain there were some gardenias among the arrangements.
He had the distinct impression Stephanie was pacing herself carefully in deference to him not being able to move quite so fast. Small courtesies seemed to come naturally to her, another trait he couldn’t help but admire.
Father Kerykes chatted with them before asking Tassos and Yannis to take their places on either side of the couple. The others sat in a group. For Stephanie’s sake he presided in English, promising to keep it as short as possible. But as Nikos had explained to Stephanie earlier, there was no such thing as a short Greek wedding.
First came the service of the betrothal with the rings. Nikos had bought her a diamond ring, and a gold band for her to give to him, but she produced a ring he immediately recognized as Kon’s. Nikos was so moved by Tassos’s gesture, he choked up during the marriage sacrament.
It was followed by the crowning and ceremonial walk. Three times around the priest, who at the end removed their flowers. After they kissed the Bible, he pronounced his blessing on them.
“For better or worse, you’re Mrs. Vassalos now,” Nikos whispered as they walked down the aisle holding hands. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I—I’m fine.” Her voice faltered. “Just thirsty.”
“There’s water in the vestibule, where we’ll sign the documents. Then we’ll go outside for more pictures.”
By the time she emerged from the church with her bouquet, her cheeks looked flushed. Nikos urged everyone to hurry with the well-wishing and the pictures, but all of them were pressing for the bridal kiss. He did it swiftly, noticing Stephanie was fading fast. No wonder there was little response.
“Are you going to be sick?” he asked as he helped her into the car.
“No,” she replied, but her voice trembled. “I’m just feeling weak and overheated. I’ll be all right in a minute.”
“In this weather a wedding like ours is brutal, but it’s over now. The taverna will be cool. It’s only a mile away. Drive fast, Yannis.”
“I feel a fraud, Nikos. I’m a hot weather girl and don’t know what happened to me in there.”
“You’re pregnant and have been through an arduous marriage ritual.”
She lay back in the corner with her eyes closed. “Once was enough. I fought so hard not to faint in front of you.”
“You made it. I’m very proud of you.”
Stephanie started laughing. “I had no idea it would be an endurance test.”
“Why do you think I put it off all these years?” he teased.
“Sorry. You must be stifling in your uniform. In hindsight I can see why you wanted me to wear the sundress.” She let out a little moan. “I shouldn’t have tried to find you in the first place. It forced you to have to go through all this.”
With those words he felt as if he’d been rammed in the chest. She had no idea what was going through his mind. “Don’t ever say that again.”
* * *
Stephanie groaned. She’d said the wrong thing and had upset him, but it was the truth.
She might not have forced him with a sniper’s rifle, like the ones in his closet. But the chance that this baby could be his had served as the ultimate weapon. Stephanie wasn’t a fool. She knew he had doubts about its true paternity and wouldn’t be satisfied until a DNA test was done, thus the reason for bringing up the possibility of divorce.
Over the last three months her heart had been hardened against him for his desertion of her, only to be softened after he’d insisted on either keeping her as his mistress or marrying her for the sake of their unborn child.
The only child he would ever have...
Their child, who would know its father and love him.
That’s what this whole day had been about. She couldn’t lose sight of that pertinent reality. After letting out an anxious sigh, she sat up straighter in the seat. “Forgive me for my show of temper. I can be a crosspatch sometimes. This has been a beautiful day and a wedding every bride dreams of. The flowers were beautiful and I love my ring. Thank you for making it all possible, Nikos.”
“As long as you’re feeling better and there’s no harm to the baby, it’s all that matters.”
His need to protect had come out. No wonder he’d snapped. She had to remember that and watch what she said from now on.
“We’re headed for the most traditional taverna on the island, where there are few tourists. The owner’s family makes their pasta and dolmadakia by hand. Besides oven-baked lamb and spit roast with lemon potatoes and garlic, you’ll enjoy stuffed zucchini and meatballs, called keftedes, that melt in your mouth.”
“I love meatballs.”
“They’re made in a tomato sauce that’s out of this world.”
Nikos sounded hungry.
