“Rafiq might be hesitant to welcome you into the fold, but Zain and Adan should have no issues with accepting you into the family. And if you’ll notice the date on the report, Aadil received it the week before his death. I believe he sensed he didn’t have much longer on this earth, and this was the last bit of unfinished business. If he would have known sooner, he would have shown you the same care and concern as he did for his other sons.”
“I would like to believe that to be true.”
“I would like to believe you have learned something from this journey in regard to your own unborn child.”
He should not be surprised Kira had confided in her. “How long have you known about the pregnancy?”
“Since the day Kira found out. She needed a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear. Of course, I encouraged her to tell you, though I was surprised she waited so long to do so.”
He could not fault her for that. “I am still uncertain how to proceed. In many ways I feel as though I am not worthy to be a father.”
Elena leaned over and laid her hand on his. “It’s true that any man can procreate, but it takes a special man to take on fatherhood. You will make many mistakes but the rewards are very great. And would you subject your child to what you have endured, spending a lifetime wondering about the man responsible for his or her birth?”
The woman possessed uncanny wisdom. “No, I would not.”
She leaned back, looking quite satisfied. “Excellent. Now what are you going to do about your child’s mother?”
He saw no easy answer to that. “I will support her in every way possible.”
“Every way?”
“In all ways that she will allow.”
“Do you love her, Tarek?”
He’d once thought himself incapable of that emotion. He had recently learned that was false. “It matters not how I feel.”
He still could not form the word for fear it would make him too vulnerable. “I proposed marriage and she declined.”
“Did you profess your love then?”
“I did not.”
Elena muttered several Italian oaths, complete with hand gestures. “No wonder she didn’t accept. I ask again, do you love her?”
He prepared to open himself up to the truth. “I have admittedly been miserable. I long for the day when I might see her again and finally express my true feelings for her, yet I worry that might never come to pass.”
Elena scowled. “Poppycock. I will never understand why men are so stubborn that they cannot see what is right in front of their nose. You are in love with her and Kira loves you. She wants nothing more than to be by your side from this point forward. Would you deny her that? Would you deny your own child?”
No, he would not. Yet a serious problem still existed. “Before she left Cyprus, she also refused my offer of a meeting to discuss our child. She instructed me to send an email.”
“Well, she deserves the opportunity to throw you out in person, or possibly take you back.”
He longed for the latter but braced himself for the former. “I am at a loss as to how to accomplish that.”
Elena chuckled. “Oh my, have you come to the right place. I happen to have some experience with playing Cupid.”
He would welcome any assistance. “Do you have a plan in mind?”
“It would involve a bit of creativity and borderline deception.”
He was growing somewhat concerned. “Deception has created our conflict.”
She laid a dramatic hand below her neck. “This is necessary to achieve our goal. Kira will understand once she sees what she will gain.”
“Then I will trust you on this.”
Elena’s expression turned somber. “First, I must know you are ready to pursue a permanent relationship with her. If not, then we will not proceed.”
“I am more than ready.” Words he never thought he would say.
“Good. Now we will go over the details.”
Something suddenly occurred to him. “Should I inform the Mehdi sons of my identity first?”
“Leave them to me.”
Having Elena run interference would be to his benefit, though under normal circumstances, he would not allow someone else to fight his battles. “If you believe that would be best, I will agree.”
“It would be best.” Elena leaned forward, lowered her voice and said, “This is what we will do....”
* * *
“Are you busy?”
Seated at her office desk, Kira didn’t bother to look up from the computer as she said, “Never too busy for you, Elena. What do you need?”
Elena pulled up a chair next to hers. “I was curious about your doctor’s appointment.”