The Greek Children's Doctor(33)

He glanced under the table to her bare feet. 'I actually quite like  those ridiculous heels you favour, but I love your bare feet, too. In  fact, I love everything about you. The moment I saw you buried under a  pile of children I knew you were the woman I wanted to marry.'

'I thought you wanted me because I presented a challenge,' Libby admitted, and he smiled.

'I wanted you because I fell madly in love for the first time in my  life. So what do you say, Libby? Are you prepared to marry a very  traditional Greek male?'

'Yes. And just to prove it, there's a surprise waiting for you in my kitchen.'

Andreas lifted an eyebrow and glanced towards the closed door. 'A surprise?'

Libby shrugged. 'Why don't you go and find out?'

Andreas pushed open the kitchen door and then smiled with delight. 'Adrienne? What are you doing here?'

His niece flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. 'Libby  collected me earlier. She said that I don't have to board any more. She  told me that you've finally found a perfect housekeeper.'



Andreas cast a questioning look at Libby and she blushed.

'I thought, between the two of us, we ought to be able to manage our shifts so that one of us can pick her up from school.'

Andreas smiled and held out a hand to her. 'So I take it that your  answer is yes? I thought you didn't believe in happy endings.'

She walked up to him and slid her arms around both of them. 'I didn't  until I met you, and the answer is definitely yes. As we're going to get  married, do you think Yiayia will mind if I kiss you in front of  Adrienne?'

Without waiting for an answer, she stood on tiptoe and gave him a lingering kiss on the lips.

Adrienne gave a squeal of excitement. 'You're really going to get married? Can I be a bridesmaid?'

There was a brief pause while Libby reluctantly disengaged herself.  'Absolutely! Which means that we girls have got some serious shopping to  do.'                       
       
           



       

Andreas groaned. 'Just don't take me near that hairdresser again.'

Libby's eyes twinkled. 'Afraid you might be tempted?'

Andreas pulled her against him. 'There's only ever going to be one person who tempts me, agape mou-remember that.'

Libby lifted her mouth for his kiss. 'I will.'



Epilogue



THE reception was in full swing and Libby relaxed back in her chair, smiling as she watched people enjoying the dancing.

'Stop looking so happy.' Alex pulled out the chair next to her and sat  down, stretching his long legs out in front of him. 'I suppose it was  all the chocolate you put on the menu.'

Libby laughed. 'Did you enjoy it?'

'Apart from the chocolate-coated prawns,' Alex said dryly, helping  himself to her glass of champagne. 'They challenged my palate. Where's  Andreas?'

'Talking to Katy. She's trying to persuade him to tell her where we're going on our honeymoon.'

'He still hasn't told you?'

'No. It's a surprise.' Libby sighed dreamily. 'Isn't it romantic?'

'Not really.' Alex took a large slug of champagne. 'The guy probably  just hasn't made up his mind yet. Don't read anything into it.'

Libby smiled placidly. 'Today I'm too happy to hit anyone. Even you. How's your date?'

Alex's gaze flickered across the room and rested on a curvaceous blonde who was laughing loudly with a group of guests.

'A bit like your chocolate. Better in small quantities.'

'Your problem is that you're dating the wrong women,' Libby said sagely, and he gave a wicked grin.

'I know. It's something that I work really hard at.'

Libby reached across and took his hand. 'I want you to be happy, Alex.'

He frowned at her. 'Are you drunk?'

She looked pointedly at the glass of champagne in his hand. 'How can I be drunk when you're drinking my champagne?'

'Then what's all this sentimental nonsense about me being happy?' He cast her a bored look. 'I'm happy.'

Libby shook her head. 'No, I mean I want you to be settled down with children.'

Alex lifted an eyebrow mockingly. 'I thought you said you wanted me to be happy.'

Libby sighed. 'Don't you ever want children of your own?'

Alex shook his head, his blue eyes suddenly cool. 'No. I do not.'

'You'd be a great father.'

Her brother's broad shoulders tensed and all traces of humour vanished from his handsome face. 'We both know that's not true.'

'Somewhere out there, there's a woman for you,' Libby said firmly, and Alex drained the champagne glass.



'Well, hopefully if I keep my head down she won't see me.' He put the  glass down on the table, his blue eyes glittering. 'I don't do  commitment, Libby. You know that.'

'I didn't think I did either,' Libby said, 'and look at me now.'

'I'm looking,' Alex drawled, a hint of a smile touching his hard mouth.  'And so are most of the male guests. You're the only bride I've ever met  who thinks that ''something blue'' refers to the length of your dress.  Were they short of fabric?'

Libby laughed. 'I didn't want to go down the aisle looking like a  blancmange. Not my style. And anyway a long dress would have hidden my  shoes. Don't you just love my shoes?'

Alex glanced down. 'I think the SAS use something similar for weapons training.'

Still laughing, Libby leaned across and kissed him. 'You're a total pain  but surprisingly enough I'm going to miss you. Why do you have to go to  Cornwall? Why can't you be a GP in London?'

Alex was suddenly still. 'Actually, I'm not going to be a GP,' he said casually. 'I miss the pace of A and E.'

Her eyes widened. 'You're going back to trauma?'

'I am.'

'Where?'

'In Cornwall. I need a change of scenery.' Alex gave a wicked smile.  'And, anyway, I've been out with all the blonde women in London.'

Libby looked at him thoughtfully. 'Perhaps that's where you're going  wrong. Perhaps you should pick a woman who isn't blonde. What you need  is a tiny, dark-haired girl with a flat chest.'

Alex threw back his head and laughed, and Libby caught her breath. Her  brother was astonishingly handsome. It was hardly surprising that he  broke hearts everywhere he went.                       
       
           



       

He was still smiling as he looked at her. 'Why on earth would I need someone like that?'

'Because all the women you've dated so far have failed to keep your  attention for longer than five minutes,' Libby explained with impeccable  logic, 'so you need to date someone who is totally opposite to your  usual.'

'Thanks for the advice,' Alex said dryly, standing up and nodding  briefly as Andreas approached. 'Are you absolutely sure you did the  right thing, marryingThe Greek Children's Doctor
Sarah Morgan

       Chapter 1



'Libby, you're up for auction. Lot number 16.'

Libby snuggled the tiny baby in the crook of her arm and glanced up at the ward sister in horror. 'Tell me you're joking.'

'Deadly serious.' Beverley squinted down at the baby. 'How's she doing?'

'Better. I'm trying to get her to take more fluids,' Libby said softly,  reaching for the bottle of milk that she'd warmed in readiness. 'And,  Bev, I'm not taking part in the auction-I already told you that.'

'You have to!' The older woman sat down in the chair next to her and  gave her a pleading look. 'You're the best-looking woman in the  hospital. We're bound to get a good price for you.'

Libby pulled a face. 'That's so sexist!'

'But true.' Bev beamed at her. 'Come on. Say yes. It's for a good cause.'

'It's utterly degrading and I don't know what made you come up with the idea. You obviously have a sick mind.'

'It was your idea,' Bev reminded her placidly. 'But that was before you  went off men again. Everyone's really entered into the spirit of things.  It's going to be a great evening and we're going to raise a fortune for  our playroom. This is going to be the best-equipped paediatric ward in  the world.'

'Well, I must have been mad to think of it and I'm certainly not taking  part. I'll give you a donation.' Libby gently placed the bottle to the  baby's lips. 'Come on, sweetheart, suck for Libby.'

'That's not the same. It's not just about the money, it's about team  spirit and you have to be there. You're an important part of the  paediatric team. My star performer, in fact.'

'In that case I'll come and watch.' Libby smiled with satisfaction as  the baby clamped her mouth round the teat. 'There's a good girl.'

'We need you on that stage,' Bev said firmly, 'and just think of the  opportunity to meet a new man! There'll be all sorts there. Short ones,  tall ones, thin ones, fat ones … '

A new man?

Libby shuddered. 'It doesn't matter what they look like on the outside.  They're all the same on the inside and I'm not interested.'

She'd given up on men totally. There was only so much hurt and disillusionment that a girl could stand.

Bev shifted uncomfortably. 'You have to. It's tomorrow night! They've printed the programmes and you're in it.'

'Oh, for crying out loud!' Libby glared at her colleague, who looked sheepish.

'It'll be fun,' she said lamely. 'A tall, handsome stranger will pay money for you. It's just a blind date really.'

'I don't do dates,' Libby said flatly, 'blind or otherwise.'