Mending Hearts

Chapter 6

"Lasha, I have no desire to spend hours sitting in a woman's clothing store while you decide what to buy. Remember, I have an appointment that I must go to after taking you back home."

Laura smiled, batting her eyelashes. "I know, but you want me to look pretty, don't you? I heard Lady Giles spent a small fortune for next week's society ball, and you know she's always so snotty to me."

That was enough to convince him. "You may go, then," Stavros agreed. "Alone. I will return at noon, exactly. Do not be late."

"I won't," Laura assured him. She gave him a quick good-bye kiss, then watched him get into the escorted car, and waved until it was out of sight. She breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that it had been so easy.

Waiting a few minutes, just in case he returned unexpectedly, Laura crossed the street and entered the doctor's office.

*****

Stefan sat on the empty bench. He had known she wouldn't be here, but he found he felt disappointed, nonetheless. He missed her, he realized. And he was thinking of her far too often for his peace of mind. He ran his hands through his hair. He had grown too attached to this woman he barely knew.

Your brother's wife.

It had almost become his mantra, though it was only partially successful in keeping unwanted thoughts at bay. He knew he couldn't postpone it any longer; he had to leave the Island.

"Boo," came a laughing voice behind him, startling him out of his thoughts.

"Laura!" He stood to meet her, his mood lifted considerably. He looked at her carefully; there was something different about her. There was a certain sparkle in her eyes that he had never seen before.

"Can you keep a secret, Stefan?" she asked, smiling.

"Of course."

Laura bit her lip, but couldn't help but laugh giddily. "I'm pregnant," her smile grew as she said the words.

Stefan felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. "Congratulations," he said, still in shock. "Stavros must be very happy."

"Oh, I haven't told him yet. I'm going to surprise him tonight. I've got the whole evening planned."

Stefan had to smile at her obvious joy. "I believe you'll be an excellent mother," he told her sincerely.

"Thank you!" Laura said, tears brightening her eyes. "Look at me, I'm already hormonal," she laughed. She breathed in, and exhaled. "I should go get everything ready. I can't wait to tell him!" She planted a kiss on Stefan's cheek, and gave him one last grin.

Stefan sighed as she left. Yes, it was definitely time for him to go. Things seemed to be falling into place, and for the better. He hoped Stavros' reaction to the news would live up to her expectations. But then, he knew Stavros wanted to have a child, if only for the continuation of the family line.

So why would it not?

*****

Helena gripped the receiver in her hand. "Thank you for informing me, Dr. Lastiris. I will make sure you are appropriately compensated for your information. I would appreciate it if you would not discuss this with anyone else."

Helena hung up the phone, steadying her hand. The nerve of that intruder! To think that she would give them their first grandchild.

But it didn't mean she would be raising the child.

It seemed she was going to have to take action sooner than planned. She looked at the photographs in her hand. They couldn't have arrived at a better time.

"I'll get you out of my home, yet," she declared. She settled into a seat, and waited for Stavros to arrive.