Page 37 of Smitten in Santorini

“I spoke to my mother yesterday, so I’ve already told them the basics, but they already love you and they’re going to love you even more once you tell them you want to marry me.”

“They’re not mad about Mihalis?”

“His paternity doesn’t change anything for them. He’s still their grandson, still part of our family… they just want both Sophia and I to be happy. The fact that Giorgios isn’t his father actually makes them happy.”

“Well, let’s hope they still like me after all this.”

“They do.” She squeezed his hand before throwing open the door. “Mama? Baba? We’re here!” She called out to them in Greek, pulling Mick and Mihalis along with her.

“Yaya!” Mihalis ran to his grandmother and she scooped him up, kissing his face.

“Hello, Mrs. Lakkas.” Mick held out his hand but she pulled him into a hug instead, kissing his cheeks.

“I am Maria or Mama,” she said in her halting English.

“Mikos!” Thespina came around the corner holding out her arms and Mick picked her up, spinning her around.

“Hey, Yaya.”

“You will learn the Greek now, yes?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I promise.”

“Come, we will eat and talk,” Maria said, leading them into the main room where a table had been set up.

Mihalis was on his grandfather’s lap, telling him about the ferry ride and everything else he’d done in Santorini. Dimitri Lakkas looked up at Mick when they entered the room, though, inclining his head.

“Hello, Mick.” His English was heavily accented but Mick had known the family for a long time because of his friendship with Apollo and had always understood him.

“Hey, Mr. Lakkas.”

“Call me Dimitri.”

“Yes, sir.”

20

Conversation was light during the meal but once Thespina took Mihalis into the other room to lay down, Mick sensed it was time for an inquisition. He’d never had a chance to talk to Lena about their future so now he was unprepared for the questions that started to come at him.

“Will you take Mihalis to America?” Maria asked with no preamble.

“Not without Lena,” he answered calmly, “but it’ll depend on work.”

Lena said something to her mother in Greek and the older woman scowled. “Your father will do this? Force you to leave the company?”

Mick shrugged. “I hope not, but it sounds like he’s going to try.”

“Because of Lena?” Maria looked completely bewildered.

“My parents are… difficult. Set in their ways. I don’t think either of them loves anything but money.”

“And you? Do you love money?”

Mick smiled. “Everyone loves money, including me, but not at the expense of the woman I love and our son. They’re more important to me than anything.”

Maria murmured in Greek and Lena shook her head. “English, Mama.”

“You will marry Lena?” Maria asked bluntly.

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