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

father’s name and his middle name will
be Nabil. Right, Roxy?”
    Huh , when had she ever mentioned baby names? “Yes, yes.” Roxanne gave up on a useless discussion. Leila was determined to
save her from a crazy match with a cousin and protect her father’s health at
the same time.
    “Roxy told me,” Steve added with a crooked smile, “that she
and Greg plan to announce their engagement as soon as she returns home.” He
burst out laughing. “Right, Roxy?”
    She darted a killing look at Steve. “You, my man, wait
until—” She clenched her hands at her sides to avoid punching his devilish
grin.
    “We better leave for the airport now,” Marie suggested.
“Roxy dear, please take Leila and Michael with you to the hotel. It’s too
dangerous for a young girl and a child to be alone in an apartment.”
    “I’ll take them with me tonight. I’m sure Steve will be
happy to come back and escort us.”
    “Definitely,” the wily man said.
    “And Roxanne,” Elias added. “We count on you to wait for
their visas to be ready and take Leila and Michael with you to the States. I
will send money to Leila as soon as you arrive there.” The man stood. His wife
and daughter held his arms to help him walk.
    “Money is not an issue, but I have to be there before
February 14th.”
    “Ah Valentine’s Day.” Steve smirked. “Didn’t I tell you this
young woman is in love?”
    “ Dear Steve, you better move heaven and earth to get
these visas ready. Otherwise I won’t give you permission to see Leila. I’m
responsible for her now. Propriety and all that. Understand?” She squinted at
him
    Steve’s grin faded. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “Try me. If I’m not leaving on time, I don’t see why I’ll
care about your feelings.”
    “Okay, I’ll call Lou. And I’ll ask a colonel to visit our
embassy with me. Now we have to leave.” He punched a number on his phone. “Hey,
Brian. Both of you, come upstairs.”
    Roxanne watched the three hunks carry the heavy luggage down
the stairs.
    Marie sobbed as she hugged her daughter and overwhelmed her
with recommendations. “I never thought I would leave you behind, ya habibty. Take care of yourself and Michael. Don’t go out alone. Both of you stay
with Roxy and Steve.” She kissed the little boy and squeezed him against her
until he cried too.
    “Uncle Elias should not go down the stairs. It’s too tiring
for him,” Steve declared.
    Bemused, the old man looked at them. “But I have to go to
the airport.”
    Steve brought a chair from the living room. “Sit here, Uncle
Elias. These big men will carry your chair.”
    “You are amazing, Steve.” Elias chuckled. “I know you will take
good care of my daughter. Stop crying, Marie. Trust these children and let’s
go.”
    Steve held Marie’s arm and ordered, “Leila, lock the door
behind us and don’t open to anyone. We’ll be back soon.”
    As soon as Leila turned the lock and lowered a metal bar to
secure the door, Roxanne punched Greg’s number into her phone. She had so many
things to tell him, but for nothing in the world would she relate the part
about Elias asking her to marry before delivering her baby.
    Greg’s recorded voice answered. “Leave a message, please,
and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” He must be in Delivery.
    “I’ll make coffee if you can hold Michael and comfort him.”
    Roxanne sat on the sofa and opened her arms. “Come, buddy,
come to Aunt Roxy. We’ll play with your train.” Still sobbing, the little boy
climbed onto her lap. She turned on the switch of the toy and the train chugged
on the cocktail table.
    Michael clapped hands and repeated, “Tchouk, tchouk...” She
hugged the little boy and pictured her own son playing with a similar train.
    Her heart pinched and Elias’ words echoed in her mind.
    A child needs to have a father at his birth. A man who
will give him his surname and protect him.
    “Leila,” Roxanne said, when the young woman returned with