“This is an opportune moment considering you need to put your intent to marry declaration in the newspaper before anything else.”
“That’s what Kristos said.”
“Your aunt Giannina will take care of it once it’s written.”
“I’m so lucky.”
“That works both ways.”
Nico would do his part as father of the bride-to-be without making Alexa uncomfortable. Following through with plans for the big event would provide legitimate opportunities for him to be with her. She wouldn’t be able to fight their need for each other indefinitely.
“How about a race before we go in, Baba?”
“You’re on!”
Racing his daughter back and forth proved to be the stuff dreams were made of. He’d never had so much fun. A little while later Alexa came out to find them, saving them from having to find her, dressed in white shorts and a white top. She sat on one of the chairs. “I decided to find out if you two were still alive.”
“Baba swims like a fish, Mama. No one could ever beat him.”
Alexa chuckled. “I found that out years ago. It’s how we met.”
“Tell me.”
The blood rushed into her cheeks. “Well, he was racing his friends off his cruiser and we bumped into each other, causing him to lose. It was probably the one and only time he went down in defeat.”
Nico’s gaze fused with hers. “That’s because I met up with a mermaid whose superpowers rendered me helpless.”
It pleased him when she averted her eyes. He knew bringing up that memory had slipped past her defenses.
Dimitra climbed out of the pool. She dried off before sitting by her mother. “Did Mama really look like a mermaid?”
Nico swam over to the side near them. “Her hair was long back then, and she knew moves in the water that blew me away. All that was missing was her tail.”
Dimitra laughed. “Great-grandma Iris was a champion swimmer. She taught Mama from the time she was little. I can’t wait to tell Kristos you thought Mama looked like a mermaid. Oh, just so you know, he’s meeting us at the dock tomorrow at noon. We’re going to see the priest at Saint Catherine’s in Ano Poli. He wants to be married where their family has always worshipped.”
“That’s only natural,” Alexa interjected. “It’ll make Irena very happy.”
Nico nodded. “I think it’s the perfect choice, Dimitra. If Kristos’s father were alive, he’d want it there too.” He couldn’t be more pleased that his own daughter would be married there. Tio would have exchanged vows with Irena in that centuries-old Byzantine church if circumstances had been different for them.
“I’m so glad you both agree. Now we’re trying to decide on a place for the reception. Do you have any ideas, Baba? Mama and I have been talking about it, but we think you’re the one who would know the best spot.”
Nico had already given it thought. “I’d pick the Macedonian Palace. Depending on the weather, you can hold the reception indoors or outside. The hotel is centrally located and easy to find for those coming from out of town.”
“Kristos mentioned it, but it’s expensive and—”
“But nothing,” Nico broke in. “If that’s his choice too, then we’ll book it if that’s all right with you, Alexa.”
“I want what all of you want.”
Good. “Then that will be one of my gifts to the bride. The other will be your wedding dress. I want you and your mother to shop your heads off for all the things you’ll need.”
“That’s far too generous of you, Baba.” Her eyes had teared up.
“You’re my only child. A parent lives for a moment like this. Wouldn’t you say, Alexa?”
“You know I would,” she murmured in an emotional tone before getting up. “It looks like we’ve gotten the most important issues decided. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on your papoú, so I’ll say good-night.”
Dimitra jumped up. “I’ll come with you. I promised I’d phone Kristos after we’d had this talk. Good night, Baba. I love you so much.”