She wasn't listening to him. She was too worried about Cali and Cali was pushing to sit up all of a sudden as Andi came around to stand near them.
The frantic look in her eyes as she looked at Andi scared him, yet as each second passed, Calista seemed to calm more until her breathing had normalized. When she reached for his hand, he could feel her trembling.
"I never told you why I didn't want to go back to Greece."
"Is that really important right now?"
She gave a sad smile. "Yes. Unfortunately it is. I spent several summers in Greece with my Dad's family. My mom and dad usually went with me, but when I was fifteen, my parents let me go by myself. I felt so grownup to be traveling alone. It was different being there without them, though. I didn't speak enough Greek. I just hung out with my cousin." The panic was returning to her beautiful face. "I swear to you, Nick. I didn't know."
"Didn't know what?"
Cali tore her gaze away from his to look down at their joined hands. It was as if she couldn't look him in the eye and it made him uncomfortable. He almost missed her answer. "Angelo."
"Who's Angelo?"
"My cousin. He was two years older than me... and... he liked me."
Nick's mind was racing with what she was trying to tell him. It couldn't be.
She continued. "He liked me a lot, but he... hurt me... bad." Her eyes met his again; the tears were flowing freely down her cheeks. "My grandfather disowned him and shipped me home right away, but it was too late. My parents were furious that I'd been hurt in Greece and it caused major family problems. By the time I found out I was..." She stopped to look at Andi with a look of love that melted his heart before returning her gaze to Nick. "...that I was pregnant, it was already too late for... well you know. I wouldn't have done it anyway. Never. I knew I was too young to be a mother, but it didn't matter to me. My parents fought about it constantly, but I told them it was my decision."
It was Nick's turn to look at his daughter. When he turned back to Cali, all he could say was "Impossible."
Calista looked up at Blackburn. "February 14, 2007?"
"Yes."
"Baltimore Memorial?"
"Yes."
"Mother's name Olympia Petros?"
He looked at the file in his hands before answering. "Yes."
Nick injected. "But who is Olympia Petros."
"Olympia was my great-grandma's name. My parents named me after her." She reached across to her purse on the nearby end table. She pulled out her passport and handed it to Nick. His hands were shaking as he opened it to see Olympia Calista Petros. "I had to use this as ID recently when filling out paperwork at the bank. I haven't updated my passport yet with Bennett and now I never will."
They all sat in silence for a long minute before Andi asked, confused. "Daddy, what does this mean?"
He saw the hope in Cali's eyes. For the first time, he looked back and forth between the two most important women in his life, really seeing each of them and their resemblance. The black hair, amber-brown eyes. In that moment Nick accepted that surely God had a hand in bringing them together. There could be no other explanation for the miracle of them finding each other.
"Daddy?"
Nick pulled Andi into his arms so they were facing Cali on the couch. "Andi, it means that Calista is your new mommy. Calista Petros Bennett, will you marry me?"
Cali's eye's opened wide with surprise. "Nick, you don't have to do this."
"Yes, Cali, I do."
"But you don't. You know I would never in a million years take her from you. You love her with all your heart."
"Yes, I do. But, I love her mother with all my heart too. Don't you see, Cali? We were meant to be a family. You just weren't ready back then so I got an early start, but you're ready now. Think about it. There is no other explanation for us finding each other like this."
They all sat in stunned silence before Cali finally spoke. "You're right. Just think we never would have known if Kevin and Roni hadn't..." She thankfully cut off before she gave away too much in front of Andrea.
Nick knew exactly what she had been about to say. "I know. God had to bless their betrayal."
Epilogue
One Year Later:
"That was the best movie, ever! Can we stay and watch it again?"
Calista's heart expanded as she heard the excitement in her daughter's voice. She was trailing behind her family and watched the look of love on Nick's face as he hugged Andi close in the crowd pressing to exit the movie theater. "I think once is enough for today. Maybe I'll bring you and Katie next weekend if you'd like to see it again."
As they walked out into the April sunshine, Cali debated asking Nick to get the car to pick her up at the front entrance. She didn't want to worry him, but she had barely been able to pay attention to the movie. She hadn't felt well all day and couldn't wait to get home and put her swollen feet up.
As the crowd dispersed, he was waiting to take her hand with a concerned smile on his face. "You've been quiet. Are you feeling okay, baby?"
Calista didn't get a chance to answer before a tight cramping consumed her swollen abdomen. She had to stop walking to bend over in pain, squeezing Nick's hand as hard as she could while she rode out the sharp pain. It gratefully passed a minute later leaving her feeling drained and out of breath.
"Oh my God, are you in labor?"
Calista righted herself, but leaned heavily on her husband. "Well, I didn't think so before now, but that sure felt like a contraction."
"Mommy, are you okay? What's wrong?" Cali heard the panic in Andi's voice as she pressed closer.
Cali hugged her. "I'm just fine, but I think it's almost time for you to become a big sister. It feels like your brother or sister was not happy that they missed the movie and are trying to join us in time to see the movie with you next weekend."
Nick's face was pale. "But it's two weeks early."
"Don't panic. Dr. Galloway told me it could be anytime when I saw him yesterday."
"And you're just telling me this now? We should have stayed home today. You should be in bed. You should be..."
Cali cut him off with two fingers to his lips. "Shhh. I'm pregnant, Nick, not sick. Everything is going to be fine."
She sounded stronger than she felt. Inside she was freaking out at the thought of giving birth again, but since she couldn't wait to hold her and Nick's baby in her arms, she steeled herself for the painful labor ahead.
Nick, on the other hand, was falling apart. "What should we do? Should we call the doctor? Should we go straight to the hospital?"
Before she could answer that they should go home and wait until the pains got closer together, the next contraction consumed her. A burning pain gripped her lower abdomen and spread up her spine.
Cali made it through the wave of pain by squeezing Andi with her left hand and Nick's with her right. As other families filed out of the theater around them, they stood linked, waiting for the arrival of the newest member to their family.
When the contraction ended, Cali smiled weakly. "I think the hospital sounds like a good idea."
Nick scooped her into his arms and carried her to the family van. He helped her recline in the back with Andi while he drove too fast to the hospital. He called Katie's parents from his bluetooth on the drive. They had arranged for Andi to stay with her best friend when it was time for the birth. Unfortunately, they were an hour away, so it would be some time before they would arrive to pick up Andi.
"But Dad, I don't want to go to Katie's! I want to stay with you and Mommy." Her voice quavered with worry.
Cali reached for Andi's hand. "Honey, trust me. You'll be better over at Katie's until after the baby is born. It could take hours and we can't leave you in the waiting room alone."
"But I'll come into your room with you. Please."
Before she could answer, the next contraction consumed Cali's attention. A wave of nausea had her fighting back the urge to throw up just as she felt wetness in her underw
ear, spreading quickly to her stretchy yoga pants and onto the seat of the van. It felt like her body was exploding. She was relieved to see Nick run a red light to get her to the hospital as quickly as possible.
By the time they arrived at the emergency room, Calista knew the wetness between her legs was her water breaking. For the last ten minutes, she had felt as if she had sprung a slow leak that she couldn't possibly stop even if she wanted to. While Nick ran in to get a nurse and a wheelchair, Andi held her mom's hand tightly, afraid to let go.
"Andi, honey. I know we read the book together on where babies come from. Everything that's happening is completely normal. You're going to be a big sister very soon."
"I don't ever want to be a mommy. Not if it hurts this bad."
"Oh, you don't mean that. Having you here with me is worth every single pain that I had."
They had tried to explain to Andrea the complicated circumstances of her birth as best as they could with an eight, now nine, year old. She was an intelligent little girl and accepted the truth of her parentage with an ease Cali and Nick marveled at.
"Did it hurt when you had me, too?"
Calista's answer was delayed by another strong contraction that brought grunts of pain. She answered meekly as she saw Nick running out the door of the ER. "Of course it hurt and it took a long time since it was my first time, but what hurt the worst was when I thought you had died. That broke my heart."
Andrea's face lit up. "But now I'm your little miracle, right?"
"You bet you are. Finding you and your daddy was the best thing that ever happened to me, Andrea."
Time passed in a blur for Calista as she was rushed into an ER examination room before quickly being transferred up to the maternity ward after the nurse's examination discovered she was already at 9 cm and moving quickly through labor. Apparently it was true that second births progress much quicker than the first.
Cali fought hard to hold back from screaming as the burning pain consumed her. Not one part of her body was left out of the party. The strain of the baby pressing to evacuate her womb was intense. She wanted to push so bad, but the nurses were all cautioning her to hold off until the doctor arrived.
Nick and Andrea sat next to her, each holding her hand. Nick swished a cold washcloth across her forehead, the look of worry etched on his handsome face. Surprisingly, Andrea appeared calmer as the birth approached. She watched the OB nurses carefully, taking in the excitement of the event.
Dr. Galloway arrived just as the urge to push wouldn't be denied. Cali held her breath as she propped herself to her elbows to bear down. The elderly doctor calmly examined Calista with a broad smile on his face.
"Well, I see that the Mikos family is about to have its newest member join them. This little one is just about to make their appearance." He looked up at Andrea with a kind smile. "Are you ready to be a big sister, young lady?"
"Yes, sir." Her voice was surprisingly strong.
"Well, I think it's great you are here to greet your brother or sister. I'm sure you're going to be a big help to your mom and dad when the baby goes home, won't you?"
"Yes, sir. I already helped decorate the nursery."
Calista's heart pounded. The exchange temporarily distracted her from the all-consuming pain.
When Nick's phone dinged with a text from Katie's parents that they were there to pick up Andi, his eyes locked with Cali's. They silently communicated before she saw him respond back quickly. The decision was made. Andi was staying with them for the delivery.
Nick got up on the bed behind Cali, taking her in his arms and propping her body up so she was supported as she pushed. He held her hands so she could squeeze when the pain got too intense. They gave Andi the job of wiping Cali's forehead with the cool compress between pushing.
Nick's loving words whispered into her ear helped her stay calm when the pain threatened to overwhelm her. "I love you so much, baby. You're doing so great. I'm so proud of you."
Fifteen long minutes later, Calista was exhausted and desperate for a rest that wasn't coming. The consuming pain never subsided and she found herself begging.
"Please Dr. Galloway. I give up. I need drugs. I can't do this anymore."
"I'm sorry, Cali, but it's way too late for an epidural. Your baby's head has crowned and in just a few minutes, you're going to hold him or her in your arms. Let's give it a big push now."
Cali took strength from Nick and Andi holding her up, encouraging her with loving words and she pushed until she was completely out of breath. And then it happened. She felt her baby slipping from her body as if a dam had broken. The intense pressure was gone leaving a full-body ache that was forgotten as soon as the healthy baby's cry filled the room.
The doctor beamed as he announced, "It's a boy! Cali and Nick, you have a son. And you, young lady, have a brother."
There was a flurry of activity as the nurses rushed to take care of the newest addition to the Mikos family. Nick reached up to cut the umbilical cord and within minutes, a baby swaddled in a baby-blue blanket was placed in Cali's waiting arms. She held him in one arm and put her arm around Nick who was moving in close with Andi for their first look at the baby.
Love flowed through Cali as she gazed down at the newborn in her arms. His shock of black hair contrasted with the splotchy pinkness of his skin. As his family looked down at him in awe, he opened his eyes and seemed to look directly into Cali's soul. He was perfect.
Nick's voice warbled with emotion as he welcomed his son. "Welcome to our family, Alexander Nicholas. We've been anxious to meet you."
As if he had understood his father's words, the baby looked at his sister and broke into a smile.
"Look Mommy! Alexander smiled at me!"
Nick leaned into kiss Cali's forehead. "I love you so much, Calista. Thank you so much for bringing these two perfect babies into my life."
As she looked up at her family, Cali once again felt a peace she had only known for the last year. She looked lovingly into her husband's eyes as she answered, "Don't thank me. Thank God. He's the only one who could have made this moment happen. We are truly blessed."
About Livia Grant
Livia Grant lives in Chicago with her husband and two sons... one a teenager, the other a furry rescue dog named Max. She is blessed to have traveled extensively and as much as she loves to visit places around the globe, the Midwest and its changing seasons will always be home. Livia started writing when she felt like she finally had the life experience to write a riveting story that she hopes her readers won't be able to put down. Livia's fans appreciate her deep character driven plots, often rooted in an ensemble cast where the friendships are as important as the romance... well, almost.
Buy Links:
Passion Series:
Wanting it All, Book One Passion Series Amazon | Blushing Books
Securing it All, Book Two Passion Series Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Having it All, Book Three Passion Series Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Protecting it All, Book Four Coming Late Summer 2015
Corbin's Bend:
Life's Unexpected Gifts, Season Two Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Psychology of Submission - coming on June 4th
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Corbin’s Bend
Also by Livia Grant
Brianna Lambert has it all. After escaping an abusive ex-Dom, she has the good fortune to find and marry the love of her life. Markus’ gentle and devoted love has helped her put the pieces of her life back together. There’s only one problem. As the years go by, Brianna finds herself missing the excitement of the BDSM lifestyle. If only she could talk to her gentle husband about her secret desire to be dominated in the bedroom, but as a submissiv
e, she finds she can’t make the words come.
When her ex-Dom resurfaces in her life, the flames of lost desire are reignited, leading Brianna to make a decision with shattering consequences.
As Brianna’s best friend, Tiffany O’Sullivan understands and even shares Brianna's hidden desire for an alpha male to protect, cherish and punish her when she's earned it. Still, Tiff is furious when Bri puts her life and marriage at risk for a fling with her abusive ex.
When Brianna disappears, Tiff tracks her down at a local BDSM club where Markus has sent his wayward wife to atone for her infidelity at the hands of his own best friend - club owner, Master Lukus Mitchell. Tiff may go to The Punishment Pit to rescue her best friend, but quickly finds she may need rescuing herself after encountering the Master’s Master. And when Markus is again ready to confront his wayward wife he, too, must come to terms with a secret past.
Wanting It All explores the delicate balance of dominance and submission as well as the importance of trust and communication within D/s relationships with a story that features believable characters along with explicit, no-holds-barred acts of sexual dominance and submission, as well as domestic discipline.
In one extraordinary weekend, four best friends are thrown into circumstances that force them to open old wounds and dig deep to discover what they really need to make them happy in life.
If you're looking for a book featuring an explicit, intimate, and heartfelt look into the physical and psychological attraction of BDSM, this is the one book you must put on your reading list.
Buy Links:
Passion Series:
Wanting it All, Book One Passion Series Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Securing it All, Book Two Passion Series Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Having it All, Book Three Passion Series Amazon | B & N | Blushing Books
Protecting it All, Book Four Coming Late Summer 2015
Trucker’s Curse
Twist (A BDSM & Romantic Erotica Boxed Set) Page 37
