Free Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk

Elias?”
Roxanne returned the greeting. Since her first visit she’d learned that Aunt and Uncle were the respectful yet affectionate terms to call older
people in this part of the world.
    “I am doing well. But your Uncle Elias is so sick. We cannot
operate here. His sister lives in Paris and has arranged for him to be admitted
at a French hospital. If we can only fly to France.”
    “I brought medicines for Uncle Elias. My sister,
brother-in-law, and a friend have consulted with cardiologists and bought the
necessary drugs for him.”
    “Bless you, ya benty , my daughter. You are a malak ,
an angel. Nabil was right to choose you for a bride. Too bad he didn’t have
time to marry you. We would have had a little baby to cherish, now that our son
is gone, may he rest in peace.”
    Warmth crept to Roxanne’s throat and face as her fingers
itched to touch her stomach. Unbeknown to his grandparents, the little baby
to cherish was growing in her belly. Roxanne hoped the older woman wouldn’t
notice her unease.
    Sure enough, Aunt Marie smiled and patted Roxanne’s cheek.
“I know I should not talk about these things with an unmarried young woman. Rabbena
kebeer , the Lord is great and has his way. His will be done.”
    “Oh dear, I don’t think God... hmm...” Roxanne was used to
the way the Iraqis sprinkled every sentence with religious invocations and
references to God. But she’d almost blurted that God certainly hadn’t approved
of her and Nabil’s reckless act.
    Leila returned with a tray loaded with three small cups and
a platter of sweet pastries she presented to Roxanne and the two men. “Coffee
and loukoums .” The roasted aroma of Arabic coffee wafted around them.
    “Lovely,” Steve blurted. “I mean delicious,” he added with a
besotted smile.
    Brian cleared his throat and scowled. He swallowed his
coffee, stuffed one of the sugar-covered soft squares in his mouth, and licked
his lips. “These loukoums are heaven. May I have another?”
    “Of course, help yourself. You too, Steve.” The photographer
took another sweet piece and forgot to eat it.
    “Steve, move,” Brian ordered. “We’ll wait in the Jeep with
Joe. Roxanne, call us when you’re ready to leave.”
    “Thank you, Miss Leila. If you need anything, don’t hesitate
to call us.” Steve handed her his card as they left.
    “Please, come again with Roxanne.” She walked them to the
door and shook the hand Steve offered her.
    “Can we have the medicines?” Leila asked when she returned.
    “Sure.” Roxanne flipped the heavy suitcase flat on the floor
and unzipped the cover. “It’s all for you. These are the various pills Uncle
Elias has to take. There is a paper that explains how and when to take them.
They will help stabilize him so he can travel.” Roxanne sent a mental thank you
to Greg who had neatly typed the instructions. “Leila, I have here bottles of
shampoo and conditioner for you.”
    “Thank you, Roxy. They will come in handy as I finished the
last drops of mine and can’t find any in the pharmacies.”
    “Vitamins for Aunt Marie. A whole frozen ham to bake. I
think it’s still frozen after spending so long in the freezing plane hold. And
a bear and train for Michael.”
    “Me, me, bear,” the toddler squealed from the door.
    “Michael just woke up from his nap. Come say welcome to Aunt
Roxy.”
    The little boy ran toward her, wrapped his arms around her
legs, and grabbed the bear from her hands. “ Woxy, Woxy ,” he babbled as
he squeezed his stuffed animal. “ Twain ?” He extended his empty hand to
receive his second toy.
    “Say thank you,” Leila ordered.
    “ Tank you .” He blew a kiss and ran away.
    “We can’t thank you enough, ya benty, my daughter.”
Aunt Marie took the bag of medicines and sheet of instructions and rushed
toward her husband’s room.
    “Roxy, you are really a good friend. How will we ever repay
you?”
    “Don’t say that.”
    “Like Mama, I wish Nabil had time to