Sweet and Sassy Baby Love

by Alicia Street

  “Ms. Mantay, I realize you’ve been doing your best to help these babies. I appreciate your good heart. I’m sure you’ll understand me when I say I’ve become very attached to Celia and Liana. I love them as if they were my own.” Her voice broke, but she stiffened. “Is there any way I can keep them?”

  Louisa’s features softened. “I know you love them and you did a great job with them. But CPS can’t leave them in foster care when a suitable family is ready to adopt.”

  “Okay, can I adopt them? Doesn’t a foster parent have priority in the adoption procedure?” Louisa and her CPS were officially responsible for the babies. There should be some loopholes, some way to compromise with them.

  “Foster parents do. But not a single foster mother. It’s always better for a child to have a mother and a father.”

  She couldn’t agree more with this theory. But these were her babies. The only ones she would ever have. She couldn’t let go.

  “Dr. Ramsay, you knew that eventually the babies would be put for adoption. You have personally insisted I find them a good home, that they should not be separated. I did my best to satisfy you.” She touched Madelyn’s hand. “I can feel your pain,” she said gently. “But whether you keep them till February or March won’t make a big difference to your feelings. You’re young, Dr. Ramsay. One day you’ll get married and have your own kids.”

  Unable to utter a word, Madelyn stared at her.

  “I have to go now. I’ll call you next week, if I have more news.”

  Rooted in place, Madelyn watched her go. When the door closed behind the woman, she kneeled in front of the stroller. Holding two little hands, she covered them with kisses. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she sobbed. Only last night, she thought it was the most beautiful Christmas of her life. She had Nick and she had babies.

  Some Christmas. It was turning into the worst nightmare of her life.

  Her crying awakened the twins and they chorused together in a sad concert. When she let all her tears out of her system, she rose. “Sweetie-pies, we can’t continue to cry.”

  She picked up Liana, and hugged her before changing her, then took care of her twin. These babies had become the center of her universe and knew how to pull the strings of her heart. How could she let them be taken from her?

  How could she keep them?

  Her mind resonated with the two questions as she frantically searched for plausible answers. “We have to find a solution. But first we better eat. Right?”

  She’d forgotten to take her pills in the morning. As if she needed a relapse to complicate their difficult situation. The fridge overflowed with delicious leftovers, but Madelyn’s stomach rebelled. “Mommy will have a glass of milk with you, girls, and a piece of bread before taking her medicine.”

  Babbling with the babies restored some calm to her heart. Once they were all fed, she rolled the stroller to the balcony and slumped onto a lounge chair. It was a gorgeous December day, with seventy-something degrees in sunny Florida. The nice breeze and the smell of the ocean soothed her tired nerves.

  What if she tried to contact the prospective parents and explained the situation? Don’t be naive. They wouldn’t care about her explanations. Besides, no one at the CPS would give her the time of the day. They’d just raise a confidentiality flag.

  If only she had more time to tell Nick her feelings had shifted from friendship to love. To convince him marriage wasn’t a bad idea anymore. Two days ago she’d daydreamed of them being together forever. Of seducing Nick even. She couldn’t get pregnant but with the two babies they’d have a family guaranteed. Now only emptiness awaited her. A bleak future.

  What if she asked Nick to marry her, temporarily, until she adopted the babies? She’d promise a marriage in name only. She’d promise not to hinder his freedom, and she’d give him an annulment or a divorce as soon as the adoption was signed.

  Darn, she was losing her mind. Why would he complicate his life for a woman who couldn’t have children?

  Realistic questions and crazy answers swirled in her head.

  Her thoughts flew to her previous life when career came before marriage and family. Could she go back there? Not here in Florida where she had such a lifetime of love and good memories packed in a single month. A bout of tears threatened to overwhelm her. She raked her hair, sniffled, and bit her lip. If she lost Nick and the babies, her only way not to plummet into depression would be to go far away. She’d leave Florida, travel to Africa and help save babies in need.

  Exhausted physically and emotionally, she curled in the lounge chair. Gazing at the sweet faces in the stroller, she lost track of the time.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nick banged on the door several times and then opened it with the spare key she’d given him. “Madelyn,” he bellowed.

  Where was she? She hadn’t answered her cell phone when Sandra had called her in the morning. He’d tried later to no avail. He noticed the open balcony and exhaled in relief. She was enjoying the nice weather. Good for her.

  He strode outside and froze. What happened to his Madelyn? Eyes reddish and swollen, hair mussed, body slumped in the lounge chair, and a whole air of despair about her.

  “Madelyn.” He squatted beside her and felt her pulse. Normal. Thank God, she didn’t have a seizure.

  She opened her eyes, stared at him, and shifted her gaze to the babies. Her lips curled down.

  “What happened?”

  “Louisa came. She found an adoptive family for our babies.”

  A knife speared him. He loved those little dolls. “So soon?” That explained Madelyn’s gloom.

  “They want to take them on February 1st. How can I let them go?”

  As if she had a choice. They always knew the foster parenting was only a temporary situation. Like her he’d thought, it would last three months and they’d have more time to ponder their feelings and make different arrangements.

  He couldn’t reassure her with platitudes. But he had to do something to alleviate her stress. “Let’s go downstairs and picnic on the beach patio. Your mother left us plenty of food and the weather is gorgeous. We’ll discuss our options.” He held a hand to help her up. “I’m going to change and be right back.”

  “How come you’re in scrubs?”

  “Sandra and I called you several times. I got worried and came as soon as I was out of the OR.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t pay attention to the phone.”

  “You were crying?”

  She pinched her lips and averted her eyes.

  “I’m hungry,” he said to distract her. “Can you warm us some cannelloni and turkey, please? Don’t forget the fudge brownies and pastaflora.”

  She smiled and nodded. Relieved that he’d cracked through her dejection, he rolled the stroller inside.

  Fifteen minutes later, he returned to her apartment in swim trunks. She had changed into a sundress. The see-through material gave him a glimpse of her bikini clad form. He swallowed.

  Could he take her in his arms and kiss her? Would it appease or distress her?

  “The food is ready. Even the babies’ bottles. I changed them. How are we going to carry all that?” Her brisk tone warned him she was upset and hurt.

  He put a lid on his lusty thoughts and promised himself he’d find a way to soothe her. “I brought a cart.” He stacked the boxes of food, basket of fruit, paper plates, plastic cutlery, and bottles.

  On the beach patio, only one table was occupied. He chose a table at the opposite end, with enough shade provided by a large umbrella. No one swam today in the cold ocean and a few snowbirds ambled along the shore. Good, they’d have the beach practically to themselves.

  Madelyn spread a plastic table cloth and he set their meal. Happy to be in diapers and shirts, the babies smiled and kicked their naked legs. Nick chuckled at their antics. Madelyn bit her lip and lowered her head. It should have been a lovely time.

  But it wasn’t.

  They ate in silence while he thoroughl
y rehearsed the right words to tell her. Wanting no interruption when he’d talk to her, he fed the twins and made sure they slept comfortably, well protected from the sun by a blanket attached to the stroller canopy.

  He spread a beach towel on the sand and took off his t-shirt. He caught her gaze skimming his chest and suppressed a smug smile.

  She slid off her dress.

  “Lovely.” Not fair. Half-lying on the towel, he inhaled and stared. “Why have you been hiding all these years?”

  A furious blush covered her cheeks. “Lusty thoughts won’t get you far.”

  He chuckled. “No, but you should come and sit here.” He patted the towel.

  She sauntered to the sand and dropped next to him. His fingers itched to touch and caress. He kept them occupied and played with shells for a moment.

  The hell with shells. His arm extended behind her back.

  “Madelyn, sweetheart, I can’t stand to see you sad.” He lowered her down and brushed his lips over her cheeks and temples.

  “I can’t help it. I’ve tried to think rationally. It’s not working.” Dark shadows dimmed the usual liveliness of her green gaze.

  “What do you exactly want?”

  “How can you ask that?” Indignant, she raised her head, but he pushed her back gently. “You know I can’t have children. Either because of the side effect of my medicine or because I’m single. If I can’t keep Celia and Liana, I’ll go to Africa, to a faraway place where sick babies will need me. And I will try to forget the past.”

  He sobered. “Forget about me, too?”

  “Don’t torture me, Nick,” she whimpered.

  He heaved a deep sigh. “Do you really want to adopt the babies?”

  “Yes, if they only let me. I love them so much. The couple who’s going to adopt them reminds me of your parents. They’ve lined up two nannies to take care of them. The prospective mother doesn’t want to spoil her figure with a pregnancy.” His usually cool Madelyn hit her flat belly in disgust. “Like you when you were small, Celia and Liana won’t be happy with selfish parents.”

  “What if another couple comes along—a loving selfless man and woman whom we can trust to give the twins the TLC they need? Would it make a difference for you?”

  She frowned and sat.

  He scrutinized her face to read her feelings. “I can talk to the CPS director and explain that this adoption was too rushed. Suggest the circumstances might not be ideal. They may find some other couples on their list.”

  “You could do that?” Her voice chimed with hope.

  “It’s a risk, because the CPS may not find other adoptive parents who would take both babies.”

  “Oh.” Deep in her thoughts, she wrinkled the corner of the towel.

  “What about us, Madelyn?”

  “Us?” She opened wide eyes, simmering with confusion.

  “You’re too important to me. I don’t want to lose you.” He cupped her cheeks.

  “Nick, are you saying that... that...” She looked at him, hope and longing in her eyes, waiting for more.

  “The babies are precious, but you, Madelyn, you’ve become part of my life. I love you.”

  “Oh Nick, I love you too. But what about your no marriage, no commitment?”

  “You said as much. We were both fools. I changed my mind. I’m committed to you now. Will you marry me?”

  “Nick, I can’t give you children. It wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Just say yes.”

  “I can’t cheat you of having your own kids.”

  “Let me be the judge of that. There are many solutions to each problem. You can stop working for six months while you go off the medicine. Or you can have surgery. Or we can adopt. I love you, sweetheart.”

  She smiled, her eyes bright with tears. “I love you too.”

  “Say yes.”

  “Yes, Nick, I will marry you.”

  “I’ve been in love with you for the last five years. I had to hide my feelings because you didn’t seem interested.”

  “I was attracted to you, but I was afraid any relationship would interfere with my career. Now I know better.”

  He gathered her in his arms for a long tender kiss that soon set the beach on fire. Even the babies felt the heat and screamed.

  Madelyn pulled away. “What about Celia and Liana? I love them too much, Nick. I can’t let them go. Even to a suitable couple.”

  “Then we will fight to keep them.”

  “What do you mean? How?”

  “I’ll pull some strings. I know friends of my father who can stop this rushed adoption. Trust me, I’ll do my best for them.”

  “I knew you could help. I even thought of seducing you to get you to marry me and help the babies.”

  “Don’t waste time.” He offered her a big grin. “Seduce me right away.” He claimed her lips while the babies yelled at the top of their little lungs.

  ***

  “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Did you finally have a chance to sleep?” Nick’s husky words ended in a big yawn at the other end of the line.

  “You bet. Even Santa Claus himself wouldn’t have been able to wake me up.” Christmas Eve had been the busiest night of the month at the Women’s Clinic with two emergencies and too many deliveries. “Actually I woke up a moment ago around four o’clock.” Madelyn rubbed her forehead to soothe her terrible headache. What a bummer. To spend Christmas Day asleep.

  She’d brought the twins to the clinic and let them spend the night in her call-room with their new babysitter Vicky. At least, Madelyn had been able to check on them between deliveries.

  “I’m taking a rain check on our private Christmas dinner.” Nick’s plans to meet in the cafeteria for a tête-à-tête on Christmas Eve never materialized as doctors and nurses kept rushing from one OR to the other. “This week is going to be crazy with too many staff on vacation.”

  “Good thing I have Vicky to babysit. She’s off school for the holiday and has offered to camp in the babies’ room for the whole week. I can hear them now. Must go. Bye.”

  As expected the next few days continued to be hectic at the hospital as if every pregnant woman had decided to deliver a Christmas baby. Between Vicky and Nancy Howard the twins were well taken care of while Madelyn worked in the OR.

  Four days later, Vicky left for the weekend. Nick said he’d like to come for dinner. The freezer still abounded with delicious treats, compliments of Mom.

  After living in scrubs twenty-four seven for several days, Madelyn welcomed the opportunity to dress up and wore the white mini dress she’d never touched again after Nick’s promotion. Once ready she pampered the twins.

  Nick arrived on time. A sight to behold, in navy pants and light blue striped shirt that matched his eyes. He took her breath away. She came straight to him and hooked her hands around his neck.

  “That’s the type of greeting I love. Missed you, sweetheart.” He proved it well-enough with a scorching kiss. She, too, had missed him. At the hospital, they had to behave professionally and concentrate on their patients. They hadn’t been able to exchange a single kiss or hug, or even hold hands for so many days.

  “How are my little dolls?” he said when he finally released her. He took both babies in his arms and cooed to them. “Daddy missed you too, pumpkins.”

  Madelyn’s heart skipped a beat. Daddy?

  So far, he’d called himself Uncle Nick around the twins. She shook herself out of bemusement and brought the pan of roast and potato on the table.

  “Let’s eat because I have news for you,” Nick announced.

  Immediately anxious, she frowned. “Ah.”

  “Good news,” he specified with a smile and savored his bite. “In spite of being so busy in OR, I haven’t been idle about our business.”

  “And?” Her eyebrows arched, urging him to continue.

  “Your mom is an amazing cook. This meat melts in the mouth.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell her. Now finish eating and tell me more.”
r />   He chuckled and helped himself to a glass of wine.

  She knew he enjoyed teasing her, and tapped the table with nervous fingers. “Nick, go on.”

  “I called Dad. He knows so many people and he’s quite knowledgeable about the secret ropes in adoption. He gave me a few names. I contacted the regional CPS director and explained my professional concern about the rushed adoption of the Willis twins.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Sorry, I know you hate that name, but that’s how our babies are registered in their system. He got back to me yesterday and said the couple was still arguing about some details. Apparently the woman doesn’t want two babies. One is more than enough, but her husband wants both.”

  “Oh my God, is this the type of mother who’ll take care of Liana and Celia?”

  “I explained that the babies were in a foster home with a reliable pediatrician I can vouch for and that there was no need to rush through the adoption. They can wait until the right couple comes along.”

  “Two hours later he called to tell me the couple has dropped their request for the twins. The husband wants a little boy he can relate to. A toddler. So Celia and Liana are staying here until March as decided previously.

  “That’s so wonderful, Nick.” She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her and eased her off.

  “I like having you on my lap, but I have to bring the champagne.”

  Keeping the girls was worth celebrating, but Nick winked. “We’re not getting married every day.”

  “Come again?” He wasn’t making sense.

  He brought a bottle of champagne, popped the cork out, and poured the bubbling liquid in two flutes. She watched him silently. What was he getting at?

  “Madelyn, I didn’t do it right last week.”

  “Do right what?”

  He took her hand in his and captured her gaze. “I love you. Will you marry me?” His eyes scorched with their blue fire.

  “Yes, I will marry you, Nick. I love you, too.”

  He shoved his hand in his pocket and brought out a little velvet bag. He extracted a magnificent ring and slid it on her finger.