Page 110 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘It means my golden one. I’ve always thought of you that way.’ He met her dazzled eyes and smiled. He felt dazzled too by his tremendous good fortune. ‘You light up my life, Portia.’

‘My Lex.’ This time her eyes didn’t fill with tears. ‘We’re going to be so happy together.’

EPILOGUE

‘CHRYSIMOU, is everything okay?’

Portia swung around, smiling. Her handsome husband still took her breath away. Not merely because of how scrumptious he looked in faded jeans and a pale shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows.

But because of the familiar light in Lex’s eyes as he approached and wrapped his arms around her. That glow of love she saw every day.

‘Everything is absolutely wonderful.’

She reached up to curl her arms around his neck, borrowing her fingers in those lustrous curls and tilting his head towards her.

His lips met hers unerringly and she opened her mouth, inviting him in as he pulled her close. Their kiss was slow and full of promise as if they had all the time the world.

Until the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted and Lex lifted his head.

‘Sorry to disturb you lovebirds but the children are getting hungry. Would you like me to get their snacks instead?’

Lex’s laughing eyes met Portia’s. ‘Sisters, eh? Someone needs to talk to her about her timing.’

‘My timing’s perfect,’ Zoe said as Portia turned in Lex’s arms to see her stepping through the open bi-fold doors from the terrace into the sitting room. ‘If they don’t get food soon there’ll be a riot.’

‘Georgia is too young to riot,’ Lex protested. ‘She’s only a toddler. But if your hooligans are on the rampage I’d better go and get them something.’

Lex pressed a swift kiss on Portia’s cheek and loped off towards the kitchen.

‘Sorry, Zoe,’ Portia said. ‘I came in to get the platter of food Aspasia is preparing but got distracted.’

Her sister-in-law laughed. ‘You two are always distracting each other. You’re like honeymooners.’

It was true, so Portia didn’t bother explaining that it had been a painting, not her beloved Lex that had initially distracted her.

‘Oh, I like that.’ Zoe stopped beside her, looking past her to the very same painting Lex had moved from their London home just this week. ‘The place looks enchanted, drowsing in the sunlight, surrounded by roses.’

Portia turned to survey the painting she’d always loved. The one that had brought Lex back into her life. ‘That’s what distracted me. I love it but I was wondering if it belongs on the wall of a Greek house.’

‘If you love it, it belongs. It’s your home.’ Zoe looped her arm through Portia’s. ‘I’m so glad you’re back in Greece. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time together this summer.’

Lex and Portia had agreed that they’d live here on the island for a while, returning to London when Portia’s studies began. For the next several years, probably until Georgia started school, they’d move between the UK and Greece.

‘I’m looking forward to it too, Zoe. You’re the best sister-in-law a woman could have.’

Zoe hugged her close, smiling. ‘Sister,’ she corrected. ‘I think of you as my sister. And I count myself lucky my brother convinced you to marry him.’ She led the way outside where the sound of whoops and splashing reached them from the seashore. ‘I hope you held out for lots of special gifts before you said yes.’

Portia laughed and caught Lex’s eyes as he appeared on the terrace with a massive tray of food.

She thought of the presents he’d given her, not because she’d asked, but because he knew how much they’d mean to her. Her mother’s jewellery. And the exquisite portable writing desk with its secret drawer that had been her mother’s grandmother’s. Portia and her mum had left each other secret notes and drawings there right until her mum’s death.

How Lex had tracked them down, she didn’t know. But it felt good having them, knowing she could share them with Georgia and any other children they had.

‘Oh, please! There you both go again.’ Zoe marched across and grabbed the tray from Lex, her grin belying her mock scornful tone. ‘I’ll go ahead with the food but be warned, if you’re not down at the beach in five minutes I’ll send the children up to find you.’

Lex roped his arm around Portia as they watched Zoe head down the path to where eight children, supervised by parents, aunts, uncles and a venerable grandfather, splashed in the shallows.

‘No regrets about marrying me and my family?’

‘I love your family,’ she said as she leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder and flattening her palm to his chest. ‘And I love you, Lex.’

His hand tightened on her hip, scrunching her purple sundress. He spun her round to face him and she saw the laughter had fled his face, replaced by intense emotion.

‘S’agapo, Portia. I love you with all my heart. I can’t bear to think what my life would have been if I hadn’t seen your painting in that auction.’

She pressed her fingers to his mouth. ‘But you did. After all we’ve been through it’s time to put the past aside and concentrate on what we have now.’

‘You’re a wise woman, Portia Tomaras. No wonder I adore you.’

He took her hand in his and together they walked down the hill and into a future as bright as the sunlight glittering on the sea ahead.

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