Claiming The Drakos Heir. Jennifer Faye

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СКАЧАТЬ of white folding chairs. Lea had opted for wildflowers, which included locally grown orchids. Popi hadn’t been sure about the idea, but now seeing them in arrangements throughout the venue, she had to admit it looked stunning.

      There was little more than an hour until the wedding—time that would be needed to get the bride ready. Though Lea had moved to the island little more than a year ago, she was embracing the Greek culture, and the older women on the island had filled Lea’s head with all the wedding traditions. Lea was excited to merge some of the old ways with some of her own traditions. It would make for a beautiful wedding.

      After inspecting the venue preparations, Popi took off for Lea’s bungalow. Thankfully there was a golf cart at the offices. She planned to acquire it, as her feet were getting tired and the event hadn’t even begun. Carrying around an extra human was taxing.

      She placed a hand on her aching lower back. “Not that I’d have it any other way. We’ll make your parents proud.”

      She sat in the cart and then set off down the familiar path. One of the first Greek traditions they’d dealt with was setting the wedding date. When the elders on the island had heard the wedding was to be in August, they immediately spoke up. They advised that if the wedding must be in August, then the first two weeks of the month should be avoided at all costs, as they were reserved for religious reasons.

      Neither Lea nor Popi were very religious, but, they reasoned, why tempt fate and the ire of the elders? As such, they planned the wedding for the last weekend in the month. Everyone seemed pleased with the decision, as Xander had arranged for a cruise ship to take everyone from the island for a Mediterranean cruise right after the reception.

      The plan was, while they were all off on a two-week cruise, followed by temporary lodgings in Athens, the island would undergo extensive renovations. When the citizens were allowed to return to their bungalows, everything would be updated and the crews would be out of their way. It was quite an amazing gift from the bridegroom to his new extended family.

      A couple of minutes later, Popi pulled to a stop in front of Lea’s bungalow. The bridegroom wasn’t there. He was bunking with the island’s handyman, Joseph, until the wedding. In the time Xander had been on the island, the older man had taken him under his wing, like a father would do.

      When Popi entered the bungalow, she was surprised to find so many women rushing around. But she didn’t see Lea among them. And then her name was called. She glanced around, finding Lea waving her to the guest room.

      Popi made her way to Lea. Once inside the room, she closed the door. “What are you doing in here instead of your room?”

      Lea rolled her eyes. “The elders are so caught up in the wedding. They think my soon-to-be husband is in line to be a saint for all he’s doing for them that they don’t want to jinx anything.”

      “Do I dare ask what that means?”

      “They’re preparing the marital bed... Um...what did they call it? Oh, yes, to krevati.”

      “What?” She’d heard of the tradition but she’d never heard of anyone actually doing it. “You mean like with the rose petals, ribbons and money?”

      “And rice. Don’t forget the rice. They’ve been here cleaning and putting fresh linens on the bed. I had to talk them out of rolling an infant on the bed. I told them we didn’t need any help in the fertility department.” Lea ran a loving hand over her own expanding midsection.

      Popi burst out laughing. “Definitely not. But they could have just rolled you around on the bed.”

      “Don’t give them any ideas.” Lea shook her head. “So I’ve been hiding in here.”

      “You don’t have time to hide. It isn’t long until you say ‘I do.’ I’ll just go get some makeup and I’ll be right back.”

      Popi was the maid of honor, or koumbara, and it was her responsibility to see that the bride was ready on time. The rest of the bridal party soon showed up, including Lea’s assistant and her soon to be sister-in-law, Stasia. Because an odd number of attendants was good luck. And three attendants were the best.

      Together they worked until Lea was all done up with her long hair pulled up with just a few strategically placed curly wisps of hair softening her face. A wreath of fresh flowers was clipped into place.

      Popi stepped back and took in Lea’s dress. It was truly breathtaking. White tiers of Chantilly lace, tulle and ribbons adorned her. There was a V-shaped neckline with delicate straps over her shoulders and satin ribbon wrapped around her waist. She truly looked like a Greek goddess.

      “You’re perfect,” Popi announced. And the other young women readily agreed.

      “Not quite.” Lea slipped off her white heels.

      “What are you doing?” Popi frowned. “Is it your shoes? Is something wrong with them?”

      Lea shook her head. “Does someone have a pen?”

      “I do.” Stasia pulled a fine black marker from her purse.

      Popi watched as Lea wrote the names of her bridal party on the bottom of her shoes. Lea had written her name first, before Popi could tell her not to do it. It was another Greek tradition that the names of the single ladies be written on the bottom of the bride’s shoes. The names that are worn off by the end of the evening will soon be married. Popi was certain that her name would still be there, because there was no chance she was getting married anytime soon. She already had her hands more than full with the little bundle of joy inside her.

      As though the baby sensed her thoughts, it kicked. Once. Twice. And the last kick was swifter than the others, sending Popi bending over. She pressed a hand to the area where she’d been kicked.

      “Are you okay?” Lea asked, concern written all over her face, as well as the other ladies.

      Popi drew in a deep, soothing breath and straightened. “Yeah. I think I have a footballer in there.”

      “Oh.” Lea smiled.

      “Don’t smile,” Popi said. “Your time is coming.”

      Lea continued to smile as she pressed a hand to her baby bump. “It’ll all be worth it in the end.”

      Popi smiled. “You just keep telling yourself that when the baby starts tap-dancing on your bladder.”

      Lea’s smile dimmed. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

      Knock-knock.

      Popi went to the door and opened it a crack. On the other side was the photographer. After glancing around to make sure the coast was clear of the groom, Popi admitted the photographer. It was almost time to head to the Hideaway.

      After today, their lives were going to change dramatically. Her friend would be married, with a baby created from that love already on the way. It didn’t get any better than that. Popi was so happy for her—for all of them.

      Sometimes Popi wondered if the baby she was carrying would feel like they’d missed out on something by not having a father. But then again, they most certainly would feel cheated by never knowing either of their biological parents. A sadness filled Popi. If only she could change the past.

      She СКАЧАТЬ