The Greek Tycoon Read online

  “Mama answer my question then I will explain.”

  * * *

  “Yes she did, she was very sweet and kind about it, we spent the afternoon talking about your unborn son. Now explain.”

  “Ok, if Katie thought you knew about the pregnancy, she would think you were only apologising for the sake of the baby. We needed her to know you meant what you were saying. I wasn’t trying to exclude or upset you.”

  “I know, I understand.”

  “Thank you. So how is the beautiful mother of my unborn son?”

  “She’s fine. She looked fit and healthy and she is very excited about seeing you on Friday.”

  “Good. See you tomorrow mama.”

  “Melissa and I are flying back together tomorrow.”

  “Ok, I’ll tell Nikos. I love you.”

  “I love you too son.”

  Chapter 29

  Katie went to her midwife appointment at the beginning of June for her check up. The move into Andreus’ apartment had gone smoothly and they were living happily as a family. Andreus had flown to Milan the day

  * * *

  before for two weeks then was flying to Paris for two days to show his design and proposal to the hopefully future client before returning home.

  “Katie.” The midwife called her in, Katie smiled and walked into the office. “How are you feeling?” Joanna her midwife asked.

  “Fine.”

  “Good. Can you still feel the baby

  moving at least ten times every day?”

  “More than that, he never stops.”

  “Great! That’s what we like to hear. Now last time your blood pressure was up a little but your urine test was normal.” She done her blood pressure which was far too high. “Do you have your urine sample?” Katie handed it over. Joanna took it to the sink and tested it, she washed her hands then instead of pouring it down the sink she screwed the lid back on and bought it to her desk.

  “Is it ok?” Katie asked.

  “It’s showing plus four on protein, so I am going to send it off to the lab for analysis.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The protein and high blood pressure are both signs of pre-eclampsia, which is when the placenta is failing so the baby wont get enough oxygen. Also the placenta falls away from the womb so it causes internal

  * * *

  bleeding. It is a very dangerous condition for both mum and baby.” Joanna took Katie’s hand. “I have to tell you all this at the first sign of pre-eclampsia but we are talking worse case scenario. Have you had any

  disturbed vision?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Any swelling of feet, hands

  and/or face?”

  “My feet are a little swollen.”

  “Let’s take a look.” She looked at Katie’s feet. “Yes they are. If you have any increase of swelling anywhere or disturbed vision call the surgery and I will see you immediately. I am going to take some blood and send it off with the urine sample. I’m going to mark them as urgent so I will get the results in the morning. Could you make an appointment for tomorrow morning before you leave?” Katie nodded. Joanna drew some blood then listened to the baby’s heartbeat. “It’s not quite as we would like it but it is ok at the moment.”

  Katie made the appointment for the

  following morning then left the surgery in a daze. She went to her parents home and told them what was happening. “Have you called Andreus?” Heather asked.

  “No, there is no point in worrying him

  * * *

  unnecessarily. I will tell him tomorrow when I know more.”

  Katie went back to the apartment alone, her parents were having Rhiannon for the night, she laid in bed that night but sleep eluded her.

  Katie arrived at the doctors the next morning and was called straight in. “I have the results, it’s definitely looking like preeclampsia, I want to check your blood

  pressure, urine and baby’s heartbeat now.”

  “So what is going to happen?”

  “Let’s talk about that after I’ve checked everything. I need you to take a deep breath and be as calm as you can possibly be ok.” Katie nodded. Joanna checked her blood pressure, it was a tiny bit higher than the previous day, she checked her urine and got the same results, then she checked the baby’s heartbeat. “It’s all practically the same as yesterday, I was hoping for even the slightest improvement. I think the best course of action and especially the safest for you both is for you to be admitted into hospital where they can keep an eye on your obs, they’ll do daily blood tests, check your blood pressure every hour and put you on a foetal heart monitor for half an hour every two hours. It’s the safest option.”

  * * *

  “I can’t stay in hospital! I have a six year old daughter!”

  “Can’t your partner look after her?”

  “He works, and he is away at the

  moment.”

  “I need you to know this is a very

  serious condition Katie. If something happens to you, who will look after your daughter then?”

  “Ok, I’ll go into hospital.”

  “I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think it was necessary. Do you have someone who can take you to the hospital?”

  “I’ll have to make a few phone calls before I go anyway so I’m sure someone can take me.”

  “Ok, if you go into the waiting room to make those calls, I will call the hospital and let them know you are on your way. Come straight back in as soon as you are ready.”

  Katie walked out to the waiting room

  and called Heather. “Hi sweetheart, any news?”

  “I have to go into hospital, it sounds like I will be in until the baby is born unless my test results improve.”

  “Oh no!”

  “I know you work, but is there any way you, dad and Ellie would be able to take care

  * * *

  of Rhiannon for me until I get home?”

  “Of course! I’ll rearrange my shifts. How are you going to get to the hospital?”

  “I’m going to call a taxi as soon as I have called Andreus.”

  “Don’t be silly, I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “Thanks mum.” They hung up and

  Katie rang the number Andreus had left her.

  “Hello?” He answered.

  “Hi, it’s Kate.”

  “Hey sweetheart. I’m in a meeting can I call you back in about an hour?”

  “No, I’m sorry this is important.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m being admitted into hospital, I’ve got a thing called pre-eclampsia my midwife explained it all but I don’t really understand what it is. All I know is that both the baby and me could be in serious danger.”

  “Oh God! I’ll be home on the next flight.”

  “No! This project is important.”

  “You and our family is more important. Are you in the hospital now?”

  “No, I’m waiting for mum to pick me up.”

  “As soon as you know the name of the ward, text me and I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

  * * *

  “Ok. Andreus I’m so sorry.” She started to cry,

  “What for?”

  “Failing our son.”

  “Don’t be silly darling.” Andreus said softly. “You are an amazing mum, none of this is your fault. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  When Heather arrived Joanna told them the name of the ward to go to then Heather drove her to the hospital.

  Andreus collected his paperwork off

  the conference room table and explained his situation to the other men in the room, promising his brother would be in Milan as soon as possible. He almost ran out of the room pulling out his mobile at the same time, he called the airline and booked a seat on the next flight to London which would leave in just over an hour. He got into his car
, dropped the paperwork off at his apartment then drove to the airport.

  Once Andreus had checked in and was

  in the departure lounge he called Nikos. “Hello bro’ how’s it going?”

  “Not good. I need you to get on the next plane to Milan. I’m just about to board a

  * * *

  flight to London.”

  “Why? What’s happened?”

  “Katie is in hospital, I don’t know much other than Katie and the baby could be in danger and I need to get there straight away.”

  “Of course. Let me know anything that happens. I’m going to call the airline now.”

  “I will thanks Nik.”

  Andreus went straight from the airport to the hospital, Katie was laying on the bed with some sort of machine wrapped around her belly. “Hey beautiful, how are you both?” He smiled at Heather who had been sitting next to her and had stood when he had walked in.

  “I’m going to get us some coffees.” She said as she left the small side room.

  “So, what has the doctor said?” He asked.

  “Nothing has changed, I’m waiting for the consultant to come.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Scared.” A tall Indian lady walked in and smiled.

  “Hi Katie, I’m Dr. Ali, your consultant. Now I’ve read all your charts and although your obs are too high, I am happy they aren’t rising. I need you to stay in hospital for a

  * * *

  while, I know that is not what you want to hear but pre-eclampsia is a very dangerous condition, it could lead to blood loss, internal bleeding, strokes or in the worse case scenario death of baby and mum. If you go home with these results that is what could happen but by staying in hospital we will continuously check on you and make sure this does not happen. If your condition gets worse we will do a caesarean.”

  “But there is still six weeks until the baby is due!” Katie cried.

  “I can guarantee, your child will be delivered before then. You need to stay as calm as you possibly can.”

  “Dr. Ali.” Katie called as the doctor turned to leave the room, she turned. “Is this my fault? Is there anything I could have done to prevent this?” The doctor sat on the edge of the bed and smiled.

  “No Katie, there is no known cause for pre-eclampsia just as there is no known way to stop it developing. Unfortunately it is a very common condition. There is nothing you could have done differently and this is not your fault. I will be keeping an eye on you and I promise I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and to hand you your beautiful healthy baby. I will not allow this to

  * * *

  get any worse, I’ll deliver before that happens.”

  “If he is early, will he be ok?”

  “His lungs will be a little under

  developed so he will need to go into an incubator for a while but I have delivered babies at twenty six weeks and they are now strong, fit and healthy.”

  “Thank you.” Dr. Ali left and Katie turned to Andreus. “If something happens and they can only save one of us, save the baby.”

  “Katie…”

  “Andreus this baby means the world to you.”

  “So do you! Katie we can have another baby one day, but I would never find another you. You heard what the doctor said she wont let it go that far.”

  “But…”

  “No buts Katie. You are my life, I wont lose you so stop asking me to sign your death warrant because I will not do it!” Andreus kissed her hand. “You will both be fine.”

  Chapter 30

  Two weeks later Katie was still in

  hospital, all her results were the same as when she had been admitted. Andreus refused to leave her side except to go home to shower

  * * *

  and quickly see Rhiannon, he was never gone for longer than two hours a day.

  The on duty midwife woke them at

  seven o’clock on the fifteenth of June to check Katie’s blood pressure. “How are you feeling this morning? Any visual disturbances, headaches or swelling?”

  “No everything is the same.”

  “Good.” The midwife put the cuff on Katie’s arm and pressed the button on the machine. It beeped loudly when it was

  finished. “That’s gone up a lot. Are you feeling stressed or unwell?”

  “No.”

  “Ok, I’m going to put the foetal

  monitor on you whilst I call Dr. Ali.” She put the monitor on and found the baby’s heartbeat then walked out of the room.

  Ten minutes later Dr. Ali walked in and checked the monitor before speaking. “Katie, it’s time.” She said.

  “You want to do a caesarean?”

  “Yes. Your blood pressure has risen significantly and the baby’s heart rate has dropped slightly.” Katie nodded.

  “When will you do it?” Andreus asked.

  “The nurse is sorting out the consent form and the operating staff are getting scrubbed as we speak so I would say ten to

  * * *

  fifteen minutes.”

  When they arrived in theatre there was a tiny incubator standing in the corner, Katie cried when she saw it, knowing it was likely that, that little glass bed would hold her son before would. The anaesthetist administered the epidural and as soon as the bottom half of her body was numb Dr. Ali made the incision, two minutes later their son was lifted into the world. The room was silent as the midwife cleared his nose and mouth, then the room filled with the magical lusty cry they had all been silently hoping for. A paediatrician looked the baby over then turned smiling. “Here, hold your son.” He handed him to Katie.

  “Is he ok?”

  “He will be fine. In a minute I will put him in the incubator, we’ll keep him in the special care baby unit for a week and so long as he stays healthy and he shows signs of growth then he can go to the post-natal ward with you for a few days. If all is ok with the both of you after forty eight hours you can take him home.” He took the baby then and placed him in the warm glass bed.

  “Do you have a name for him?” The midwife asked.

  “Alexandro Greg Theo Sillas.” Katie smiled up at Andreas. He bent and kissed the

  * * *

  top of her head before whispering,

  “Kate will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” She whispered back.

  Nine days later they took Alexando

  home.

  Epilogue

  Andreus and Katie stood under an arch made of yellow and white flowers in the Sillas mansion gardens exactly a year after

  Alexando birth and exchanged vowels and rings of commitment. Rhiannon and little Sophia were bridesmaids and Nikos was

  Andreus’ best man. The only other people in attendance were Sophia, Theo, Heather , Gregory, Ellie, Melissa and Tessa. Melissa was holding Alex who was big, beautiful and very boisterous. No one could believe that only a year ago his life had hung in the balance.

  After the short service and photo’s were taken, Katie and Andreus went for a short walk to have five minutes alone. “Are you happy?” Andreus asked as they walked hand in hand.

  “I am happier than I ever imagined I could be.”

  “Me too. You look beautiful.” He

  * * *

  smiled as he kissed her, she was wearing a long ivory coloured alter neck dress.

  “I’ve got something to tell you.” Katie said.

  “Should I sit down?”

  “Maybe.” She laughed. “I’m three months pregnant.”

  “Oh my God!” He smiled.

  “And if it’s a girl I’d like to call her Leoni.”

  “Really?” He asked.

  “She was someone very special in your life, I thought it would be nice but if you don’t want to it’s fine.” She smiled.

  “I’d love that, thank you.”

  Six months later after a perfectly

  normal pregnancy Leoni Heather Sillas

  entered the world.

  THE END

&n
bsp; * * *