Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk Page A

last night. The winter is harsh in France and we have no idea if
we will be back home soon or stay there for some time. So we packed a lot of
heavy clothes and some valuables.”
    “I see.” She didn’t really see anything, but gave up trying
to understand how Leila had managed to twist the confirmed bachelor around her
little finger in a few days. Maybe she should ask her for some advice. Roxanne
left them and sauntered into the living room to see Leila’s father.
    “Good evening, Uncle Elias.” She walked straight to the
armchair where the old man sat.
    Dressed in a dark suit, too loose on him, Elias Diab stood.
“Roxanne, habibty . God bless you.” He kissed her on the forehead and
slumped back into his chair. “Have a seat, my dear child.” Roxanne settled on
the sofa next to Marie. “Thank you for this big joy. A child of Nabil is the
most precious gift for us.” He sniffled, fighting to rein in his emotion. “You
are such a beautiful woman. Of course, my poor son couldn’t resist his passion.
He was a virile man. It was normal.” The old man’s voice oozed with pride and a
weary smile trembled on his lips.
    A weight lifted from Roxanne’s shoulders. Uncle Elias didn’t
resent her or his son. A heavy sigh escaped her. She shoved her hand into the
pocket of her pants ready to call Greg and announce the good news. Finally, she
was free. Free from her guilt. Free to live and love.
    “But now we have a big problem,” Elias said.
    “Huh?” No, no more problems, please . She frantically
shook her head.
    “My son left you with child. We have to make up for his
moment of craziness.”
    She raised a palm to prevent Elias from saying more. “It was
my mistake as much as his. My responsibility too. And I’ll take care of my
baby.”
    “But, daughter, it’s not fair for you and for the baby. A
child needs to have a father at his birth. A man who will give him his surname
and protect him.” Roxanne had trouble digesting their Middle Eastern logic.
    “I don’t need—”
    “Unfortunately, my nephews are all married,” Elias continued
without paying attention to her interruption. “But Marie thought about her
cousin’s son, Samir. A nice young man in his late twenties. I am sure he would
be delighted to marry you right away.”
    “I... I... Aw.” A strange needle-like sensation pricked her
side. Sharp, almost painful. She flattened her hand on the area and gritted her
teeth. “I have no intention of getting married.” Her voice came in a hiss.
    “Excuse me?” Uncle Elias shouted and his face turned purple.
“My grandson cannot be born a bastard.”
    “Elias, don’t get upset. Think of your heart,” Marie rushed
to her husband. “Steve, Leila, get him a glass of water and his pill.”
    This was turning into a nightmare. Roxanne inhaled and
counted to ten. The pain in her side subsided. Thank God. She’d better calm
down if she didn’t want to have the old man’s death on her conscience too.
    “Dear Uncle Elias, I meant to say, I can’t marry a man I
don’t know just to save appearances. I’m going back to my country where people
are not as strict about propriety rules as they are in the Middle East.”
    “Roxanne is too shy to admit she has someone in mind,” Leila
said from the door, with a big smile. “A very nice man. Her own doctor.”
    “Really?” Marie answered with relief. “Why didn’t you say
so, ya habibty , my dear.”
    “She met him at her sister’s wedding,” Leila recited at
double speed before anyone could interrupt her. “He’s a colleague of her
brother-in-law. He helped her when she was crying after receiving the sad news.
He knows about the baby. Right, Roxy?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “I talked to Greg on the phone,” Leila cut in. “And he asked
me to make sure Roxanne doesn’t exhaust herself. He even gave me his phone
number.”
    “Oh, but—”
    “So everything is settled for the baby. Roxy told me that if
it’s a boy, his first name will be her