“Are we are having two weddings now?” Tommy made a face at Theo. “You just had to steal my day, didn’t you?”
“I was jealous.”
“Of course you were. Now we have to find matching outfits.”
“Boys!” Stella sighed in exasperation. “Will you two please be quiet?”
Eva giggled. “Is this normal?” she whispered to Zoe.
“Yes. You should have seen all three of my brothers during family meetings. Papa let them have their silliness and then they settled down after he threatened them with doing the washing for the week. I’m not quite sure why that worked.”
“It worked because we had to go down to the river and get in it to do the washing.” Theo grinned. “It was cold.”
“Your father had the patience of a saint,” Stella said with a mock scowl. “Now. Wedding number one is Tommy and Zoe, and wedding number two is Theo and Eva. Do we wait until after you come back from Germany?”
“No.” Eva shook her head. “We want to do it before we go to Germany.”
“We do?” Zoe asked.
Eva turned to Zoe and nodded. “I want to do this before we go, love. I just feel it’s important.”
“We won’t be making babies before we come back.”
“I know but…”
“It’s a little extra security?” Tessa touched Eva’s hand. “Do you feel a little more secure knowing that Theo and Thomas will be with you?”
Eva looked down at the table and worried a splinter with her fingernail. “Having family around helps with what may happen.”
“What do you think may happen?” Tessa asked.
“I want to confront my grandmother.”
Zoe blinked in surprise. Tessa had a hint of a smile on her face.
“You want to confront your grandmother?” Zoe asked, not quite believing what she was asking.
“Yes. I have questions and she has the answers.”
“Are you going to go to her?” Tessa was watching Eva carefully.
“No. She’s going to come to me.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Zoe asked, even more surprised.
“Yes. I’m sick and tired of feeling this way, Zo. I want to know the truth.”
Zoe smiled. “Well, then we are going to see Frau Muller.”
“Here I thought we were going to discuss what suit I’m going to wear for my wedding.” Tommy put his arm around Eva’s shoulders. “Frau Muller is far more interesting.”
Silence descended at the table for a moment.
Theo tapped his hand on the wood. “Can I just say I want to wear blue for my wedding?”
Everyone chuckled.
Zoe put her hand under the table and grabbed Eva’s hand. They looked at each other and Zoe mouthed “Proud of you.”
“Sister Irene has arranged for us to stay with her and her brother Johan.” Stella looked through a pile of papers. “In Dahlem.”
“Dahlem?” Eva asked as she glanced at Tessa and then at Stella. “How does a nun afford a house in Dahlem?”
“What’s wrong with Dahlem?” Zoe frowned at Eva’s smile.
“It’s a very expensive area.”
“Well, it’s handy,” Stella quipped.
“Alright, now I’m missing something,” Theo interrupted.
“Zehlendorf is where Eva grew up,” Zoe explained. “I’m going to guess that Dahlem is right next door?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that won’t be too far for Frau Muller to travel,” Stella said as she shuffled some more papers. “Sister Irene will like to meet you.”
“I’m going too because I haven’t seen Aunty Irene for a long time,” Tommy said. Zoe looked at Eva and saw that she also noticed the ‘aunty’ attached to Irene.
“This is going to be an interesting visit,” Eva said.
“We go to Germany, we go to the cemetery, catch up with Sister Irene, and we wait to see if Frau Muller will show up.”
“My grandmother will show up,” Eva said definitively. “She went to the trouble to hire Mrs. Muldoon, and she went to the trouble to spy on us. She will come.”
“We need to stop now. We are going to have a guest,” Tessa said softly,
Everyone looked at her.
Tessa looked at Eva. “Your father is coming.”
“At this time of night?” Eva glanced at the clock in the living room. “It must be important if Father is out at night.”
Chapter Fourteen
Eva opened the door to reveal Father Haralambos, dressed in a black overcoat over his black cassock. The light glistened off the gold cross that dangled from his neck as he came into the living room. His anxious face transformed into a smile when he saw Eva, and then he noticed the cane.
“Eva. Were you hurt?” Father Haralambos asked, his attention focused on Eva. “The tree didn’t hit you?”
“No, no, no. I slipped here at the house.” Eva made a face. “Hit my head and my back. Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what brings you out this late at night? You know you shouldn’t be out with your bad heart.”
“Tree? What tree?” Zoe came up from behind Eva and stood on her toes to kiss Father Haralambos’ cheek.
Father Haralambos put his arms around Zoe and kissed her. “Oh, thank God, you two are all right. I went to the cabin and saw the damage…”
“We decided to stay down here.”
“It’s a good thing you did. That old tree near the cabin decided the perfect time to come crashing down to earth was during the storm. Crashed down on the porch.”
Eva turned to Tessa, who had a neutral expression. She realized that talking about Tessa’s abilities with Father Haralambos would not be a good idea.
“You mean the cabin has been flattened?” Eva asked.
“Not all of it, but it got damaged and the water got in,” Father Haralambos said. “Poor Theo. Just when he had finished it as well.”
“Wow.” Zoe squeezed Eva’s hand and they looked at each other for a moment. “It’s a good thing we decided to stay here.”
“Yes, a very good thing. Ah, Tessa.” Father Haralambos hugged Tessa. He held her for a few minutes and then kissed her cheek. “So good to see you again.”
“Panayiotis, how are you?” Tessa smiled.
Father Haralambos saw Tommy, who was standing just inside the door. His eyes widened. “Oh my, who is this young man?”
“This is Thomas, my son.”
Father Haralambos’ eyebrows rose as Tommy came forward.
“Good evening, Father,” Tommy said, and kissed Father Haralambos’ hand.
“Well, this is quite a surprise. I’m pleased to meet you, Thomas. I was not aware you had a son, Tessa.”
“He was born after the fire,” Tessa explained. “He looks like my father, doesn’t he?”
“He looks very much like your father. Daphne, Eva, and Thomas all look like him.”
Tessa put her hand on Father Haralambos’ shoulder. “I nearly called him Dafnis.”
Father Haralambos’ eyes crinkled in delight. “Oh, Daphne would have hated it.”
Tessa’s gentle laugh made Eva sigh. It reminded her so much of her mother’s laugh that if she closed her eyes, she would think her mother was right there in the room.
“So you named him Thomas. Much nicer.” Father Haralambos turned to Stella, who was hovering nearby. “Dr. Nikas.”
“Father Haralambos, welcome to our home.” Stella took Father Haralambos’ hand and kissed it.
Father Haralambos smiled. “Welcome to Larissa, Dr. Nikas. I missed you a few days ago when I dropped in.”
Father Haralambos sat down on the sofa. Zoe sat at his left and Eva tried to get comfortable in the hardback chair. Stella and Tessa took a seat at the table, while Tommy stood nearby. Theo entered the room and also greeted Father Haralambos by kissing his hand.
“Would you like some coffee?” Zoe asked.
“Oh, no. That would keep me up all night. Just some water, please.” Father Harala
mbos faced Eva. “The reason I was coming to see you is that I had a visit from Zoe’s uncle.”
“What did he want?” Zoe asked from the kitchen.
“He is concerned about you.”
“Where was he during the war? How concerned was he then? Where was he, Father?”
“Well, we both know he wasn’t here then, but he’s here now.”
“It’s too late for that.” Theo took the water from Zoe and offered it to Father Haralambos. “Why does he want to interfere in my sister’s life now?”
“She’s twenty-two and unmarried,” Father Haralambos explained. “Your uncle Dion is concerned that you are not happy.”
“Zoe is very happy,” Eva replied with a smile.
“Do you have any complaints?” Zoe sat down and looked at Eva.
“Oh, no.” Eva shook her head. “No complaints.” She chuckled.
“What did my brother want? Was it just about Zoe?” Stella asked.
“No. Your brother believes you are under a terrible influence and he asked me to help. In addition he wants Zoe to find the right man.”
“I think we solved one problem for you, Father,” Tommy said.
Father Haralambos chuckled. “Zoe is getting married to a man?”
“Yes,” Zoe answered.
Father Haralambos gave her a puzzled look.
“You see, your problem is solved,” Zoe said.
“Pardon? I thought I heard you say you were getting married to a man.”
“Isn’t that the only wedding you recognize?” Stella asked. Tessa gave her a warning look. “Well, the Church does.”
“I’m sorry, I’m getting old, and my hearing is going. Did you say Zoe is getting married to a man?” Father Haralambos looked at Eva and then at Zoe.
“Yes, Zoe is getting married to a man.”
“Oh, I see.” Father Haralambos stroked his beard. “Well, yes, that would solve Dion’s problem.”
“I don’t understand why it’s his problem.”
“He is the head—”
“No,” Theo said. “I’m sorry, but he is not the head of the family. I am. Zoe is my sister. I am the head of the Lambros family from Larissa. Uncle Dion does not speak for me and I don’t acknowledge his authority over my sister.”
“I’m sorry, you are right.”
“I know I am.”
“Who is the groom? Who is this brave soul?”
Eva and Tessa laughed. Eva gently tapped Zoe with the cane as they shared a smile. “He is a very brave man.”
Zoe stuck her tongue out at her and Eva giggled.
“Yes.” Theo pointed to Tommy. “Meet the groom.”
“Ah.” Father Haralambos nodded. “Well, that wouldn’t be hard to guess. So are you…” He looked at Eva. “Did you two split up?”
Eva smiled. “No, we haven’t.”
“But why are you letting Zoe marry Thomas?”
“I never thought I would hear an Orthodox priest ask why a lesbian couple have split up and be upset by it,” Tessa said, a note of warmth in her voice.
“The priest isn’t asking—the father is.”
Zoe giggled. “Father H, you are one of a kind.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Please, tell me you didn’t walk all the way here.”
“No, no, no. Kiriakos brought me with his buggy after we got to the cabin and found it destroyed. Of course I was very concerned, but when we didn’t find you there and then saw your suitcases were gone, I was not so worried.”
“So you came here?”
“It was the only place you would be.” Father Haralambos looked at Eva affectionately. “I didn’t think you would be in town.”
“Is Kiriakos outside?”
“No, I sent the young man home. I’m sure Theo can drive me back.” Father Haralambos smiled at Theo. “Now tell me, what is this about Zoe getting married?”
Eva glanced at Zoe, who gave her a subtle nod. “Father, you’re going to be a grandfather soon.”
Father Haralambos stared at Eva for a long moment. “I thought you couldn’t have children?”
“I still can’t. Zoe will be the one giving birth.”
“Zoe is pregnant?” Father Haralambos’ voice rose as he stared at Tommy darkly. “What have you done, my son?”
Eva put her hand on Father Haralambos’ arm and got his attention away from Tommy, who was looking quite uncomfortable. “Tommy didn’t do anything. He hasn’t touched Zoe.”
“He didn’t touch Zoe and yet she’s pregnant? Do we have a miracle on our hands that I need to let the Bishop know about?”
Eva laughed. “No, Zoe is getting married to Tommy so she can have children.”
“Ah!” Father Haralambos nodded. “I still don’t understand why you are letting Zoe do this, but getting married and then having children is always the correct order in God’s arrangement.”
“I don’t want her getting pregnant without being married.”
Father Haralambos shook his head. “I still don’t understand, but that is all right. There are some things I really don’t need to know.”
“I’m getting married as well,” Eva said.
His white bushy eyebrows shot up as he stared at her. “Why are you getting married?”
“It seems everyone is doing it, so I thought I might try it.”
Everyone laughed.
“Theo asked me.”
Father Haralambos turned to Theo and his features softened. “I see. I’m going to assume you asked the person in charge if you can marry my daughter?”
“Ah, no sir, I was going to come and see you…”
“Not me, my son. I’m talking about your sister.” Father Haralambos chortled and slapped his thigh. “All kidding aside, what is the real reason you are marrying Eva?”
“I want to make Zoe happy,” Theo honestly replied. “Eva would become a Lambros.”
“Ah, no more Haralambos? Not that I should be proud of this, but I thought that name would be still alive once I have passed.”
“I’ll always be your daughter.” Eva rested her head on Father Haralambos’ shoulder. “With Zoe having children, we wanted everyone to have the same last name.”
“Yes, that does make sense, although it’s a very strange way of doing things.”
“Will you marry us?” Eva smiled at the adoring look she was getting from her father.
“Hmm.” Father Haralambos sighed deeply. “No, I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Theo is agnostic and you are a Catholic. The Church would want you to convert.”
“I can’t,” Theo said. “I won’t go back to the Church, not after what it’s done.” The tone in his voice made it quite apparent that he wasn’t going to relent on that issue.
Zoe looked at Theo for a long moment. “Can you conduct the service, Father?”
“No, I’m not allowed. The Church and the state forbid me to marry anyone who isn’t of the faith.”
“That’s rubbish. We’re getting married. It’s not like we are going to have a party in the church. What happens to all those people who don’t want to convert?”
“They remain single in the eyes of the law.”
“That’s so unfair.”
“Yes, it is.” Father Haralambos squeezed Eva’s hand.
“So how do we do it if we can’t get married here?”
“In Germany,” Tessa said quietly. “We will all go to Germany and we will have the weddings there.”
“Do you want to come to Germany with us, Father?” Eva whispered. “I want you there.”
“It would make me very happy to be at your wedding, but I can’t. The damage from the storm on the church is quite extensive.” Father Haralambos put his arm around her shoulders. “I know why you are doing this and I think you are doing the right thing.”
“But?” Zoe said.
“There is no ‘but.’ I expect to be seeing you back in Larissa as soon as this trip to Germany is over.”
“Well, we have a lot to do
to get ready.”
“Dr. Nikas...”
“Please, call me Stella.”
“Stella, can I talk to you privately?”
“Of course. Let’s go into the kitchen.”
Father Haralambos kissed Eva on the cheek. “Are you coming to the wedding tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Eva nodded.
“Zoe will need your strength,” Father Haralambos whispered in her ear before he rose and followed Stella into the kitchen.
“What was that about?” Zoe asked.
“The wedding tomorrow.”
“Ah. You’re not coming, not with that back of yours.”
“I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Are we going to argue?”
“You went for a stroll and you needed a nap. I don’t think a wedding is that important for you to attend.”
“It’s final. I’m going. My back is feeling much better.”
“Hmm.” Zoe looked around the room. Theo and Tommy were talking and Tessa had joined Stella in the kitchen. Zoe picked up a cushion from the sofa and dropped it to the floor. “Pick that up for me.”
Eva looked at the pillow and then slowly raised her eyes to Zoe. She stood and smiled grimly as she flicked the pillow to the side with the cane.
“Yes, your back is much better.” Zoe shook her head and picked up the pillow.
“I didn’t say I could bend over.” Eva smiled and put her arm around Zoe’s shoulders. “I’m not going to miss this wedding, love. You need me there and I’m going to be there.”
Zoe looked into Eva’s sky blue eyes. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Do you still love me even if you are getting married to my cousin?” Eva laughed.
Zoe brought the footstool to Eva and stood on it.
“What are you doing?”
Theo and Tommy stopped talking and looked at them.
“This is the only way I’m going to kiss you when you are standing up, Miss Lambros.” Zoe looked at Theo and Tommy and shrugged before turning back to Eva, who was gazing up at her. She cupped Eva’s face and tenderly kissed her on the lips.
Chapter Fifteen
Stella closed the door from the kitchen to the living room and turned round to find Father Haralambos and Tessa embracing. She watched them affectionately.
Awakenings (Intertwined Souls Series Book 4) Page 11
