Page 62 of Marriage Masquerade

Ten minutes later, Gemma sat at the dining table with a large bowl of chicken noodle soup and warm rolls in front of her.

“Is this some kind of universal remedy?” she asked as she dipped her spoon into the bowl.

Hal stood near the doorway watching closely. Nikos sat in his chair, watching her closely .

“Mmm, it’s delicious.”

She smiled at Hal and inclined her head in the same manner Nikos often did. “Thank you, Hal. It's perfect.”

He bowed and left, but she glimpsed the pleased look in his eyes.

“You have a loyal servant for life,” Nikos said casually. “Tell me the significance of chicken noodle soup.”

Gemma smiled and ate some more. The warm rolls Hal prepared went well with the soup.

“It’s supposed to make you feel better if you’re sick. I’m not sick, just tired, but it's making me feel better. I take it you don’t have such a thing in Greece?”

Slowly, he shook his head.

“Sometimes when I was a boy and sick, my mother prepared a broth but no noodles. If I become sick, you’ll have to remind me to try this.”

She nodded, unable to imagine the man ever falling victim to any illness. He’d never had as much as a cold in all the years she’d known him.

“Should you consider cutting back at work?” Nikos asked.

Gemma looked up.

“No. I’m not sick, Nikos, just pregnant. This week has been hectic and the hours long. But I can manage a normal workweek. I can do my job.”

“We’ll see how you feel on Monday.”

“I’ll feel fine.”

He smiled at her certainty and she felt that flutter in her heart again.

“If you're feeling rested in the morning, I thought we'd go shopping for baby furniture.”

She tilted her head to the side.

“I can’t picture you shopping for furniture.”

“How do you think I get new pieces?”

“Wave a hand and order some interior designer to go buy it?”

“And I thought you were an astute businesswoman. I picked out almost every stick of furniture in this apartment. I kept nothing from Katrina’s time.”

“I stand corrected. But don’t you think it’s a bit early to be buying furniture for the baby? I’m not due for almost five months.”

“I realize that, but this is a good time. The negotiations are complete. We have a few days before we leave, so why not now?”

“Leave? Leave for where?”

“Phil contacted me this afternoon. My petition for permanent residence was approved. The marriage made the difference. I can now travel outside the US and get back in with no trouble.”

“Oh, that was fast.”

“I thought so as well. Phil said I should have the final documents early next week.”

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