Page 47 of The Greek's Retribution

“Thank you,” I tell him as I pour us up some orange juice.

“You’re welcome”

“You two are so cute together,” Devyn praises from the other side of the table. “When I get a boyfriend, I want him to fix my plate too.”

The clanking noises of forks hitting the table has everyone looking at Zar, Alistair, and Xander. All three have crazy looks on their faces. I glance at Nina and the other ladies and they just continue eating.

Zar breaks the silence. “I wish a boy would fix your plate.”

Alistair speaks next, “And as far as a boyfriend, you are not allowed to have one until you’re forty-five.”

Next, Xander adds, “And by then, we’ll only allow it if he can make it past the front door.”

“But...” Devyn protests, looking sad.

Yiannis, who is sitting at the head of the table, reaches over and grabs her hand, smiling at her. “Don’t listen to your crazy brothers, Princess. You will be allowed to date when you’re old enough, but we’ll have to check the boy out. Your brothers are just being protective and in their eyes, and mine too, there will never be anyone good enough for you. We want you to be with someone who will treat you with respect, dignity, and like the beautiful young lady you are.”

“Or I’ll kill him,” Alistair murmurs.

“Father” Devyn calls to Yiannis, then covers her mouth with her free hand.

Yiannis’ smile falls as he stares into the young girls eyes.

Removing her hand from her mouth, with sad eyes, Devyn whispers, “I’m sorry, was I wrong for saying that?”

Everyone’s focus is on Yiannis. Never letting her hand go, he pushes his seat back, then stand. He moves closer to her, then goes down on one knee.

“No Princess, you were not wrong for calling me Father. I am your brother’s Father and your sister’s. It is only fitting that you call me Father. You are the little girl Althaia and I have always wanted, but God gave us two knucklehead boys first. I am proud and honored to be your Father. You and your sister were sent to us because the both of you needed a Mother and Father who would love you unconditionally. I am your Father and like your brothers, I vow to protect you with all that is in me.” He places his finger under her chin. “What’s your last name?”

“Kourakos” Devyn says proudly.

“And that’s because you are my daughter. I love you, Princess Kourakos.”

There’s not a dry eye in the room as Devyn wraps her arms around Yiannis’ neck. He hugs his daughter with love and devotion. Althaia joins them with tears streaming down her face. It’s such a touching moment, I have to use my napkin to blow my nose.

“I love you too, Father,” Devyn proclaims against his chest.

“Damn it Balthazar you better hurry up and marry me so I can change my last name,” Nina shouts, hitting him in the arm. “Better yet, Tech can you do what you did for Alistair and Hailey? We’ll still have the wedding but I’m ready to be Mrs. Nina Kourakos.”

Balthazar roars with laughter as he pecks Nina’s lips, then rubs her stomach. Even though she’s dead serious, we crack up laughing. Hell, after Yiannis heartfelt words, he had me wishing Xander’s last name was Kourakos. Nevertheless, I look forward to someday being Mrs. Xander Andino. Being with Xander has brought me into a loving family relationship I never had with my own, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Once Yiannis and Althaia return to their seats, we continue with our breakfast. GeeGee bringings over a platter full of crispy bacon. She stops beside Thing Two’s chair, then using the tongs on the platter, picks up four pieces, and places them on his plate.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Thing Two politely says.

“You’re welcome, Haruto and I hope you’ve learned your lesson.”

Thing Two chuckles. “I did, ma’am.”

GeeGee snickers as she moves behind Thing One’s chair. “I don’t need to tell you the rules do I, Haruki?”

“No, ma’am. After what I saw and Mike explaining everything to me and my brother, you don’t have to worry about me taking any food without your permission. Since we have been here, you have brought us plates of food, so we didn’t know, but we do now,” he replies.

“Good,” she tells him, then adds slices to his plate as well.

Mike and Tech’s mouths gape. “You know their names. They never tell anyone their names,” Mike asks with disbelief.

“Yes, I do. You all can call them those Thing whatever, but I’m going to call them by the names their Momma and Daddy gave them.”

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