Christmas Babies

by Mona Risk

  “Our friends are gone, but then they came earlier than me.” Madelyn didn’t seem in a rush to leave. Nothing could please him more than to stay and chat with her for hours. She considered him for a moment and smiled. What a gorgeous smile. His heart somersaulted. He covered her hand and immediately withdrew. Having received the cold shoulder way too often, he waited for her to give him a lead on how to act around her new persona.

  “Another beer,” he asked and could have punched himself at the stupidity of his question. She’d hardly touched the first one.

  “Nick, tonight we celebrate your promotion,” she said with a resolute tone that got his full attention. “How about going to Las Olas Boulevard? There’s music at the European Bar.”

  Music and dancing. “Sure. Let’s go,” he answered right away.

  “We’ll continue our celebration there.”

  He pinched his side to make sure he’d heard correctly. What exactly did she have in mind? He paid his bill. “Ready?”

  She pushed her chair and stood. That little white dress could send a monk into damnation, and he’d never competed for sainthood. She passed in front of him, heading for the door. His gaze skated over her legs, elongated by high heeled sandals, and wandered to her swaying backside. He shook his head and focused higher up on the light brown curls he itched to wrap around his fingers.

  They reached hisBMWand he opened the door for her. She sat on the low bucket seat, buckled her seatbelt, and pulled at the hiking hem of her dress. He averted his eyes and slipped into his driver seat. To clear his mind, he put on some soft music.

  She punched two other buttons on the car radio until rock music blared. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” He grinned at her cheerfulness, pleased he’d finally connected with her on a more personal level than work.

  She hummed with the radio and tapped her fingers on the dashboard. He gave her a sideway glance, and scowled.

  Something didn’t add up. He’d known her for five years. They had worked in the delivery room side by side every day, he delivering the mothers, she resuscitating babies. She’d always been serious, reserved, poised, a bright doctor, but certainly not a fun-loving person. He wasn’t vain enough to think she’d developed an interest in him overnight and he couldn’t believe she’d put on this act just to celebrate his promotion—a promotion she should resent.

  And then it hit him. Yes, it was an act to cover her disappointment. To make him believe she didn’t care about the fact he’d snatched the position she had dreamed of. A tender feeling mixed with guilt overwhelmed him. He promised himself he’d make it up to her.

  “Having fun?” He asked as her voice covered the radio.

  “A lot. Although I’m sure I’m spoiling the song.”

  “Not at all. I don’t know the words but I can do the accompaniment.”

  She burst out laughing and he whistled the tune. He’d never seen her so friendly or so comfortable while wasting time. Not that he’d call having a good time with her a waste of time. Two days ago she’d rebuked him with a frown when he joked with a technician at the hospital. If she only knew why he flirted without discrimination, why at thirty-six he couldn’t allow himself marriage or commitment.

  Maybe he was wrong about her putting up an act. Maybe she’d decided to change. Whatever. He’d stop analyzing her and would enjoy every minute spent in her company.

  He parked the car in a side street behind the tourist area of Las Olas Boulevard. She slipped out of the car. It would be hell to walk for several blocks with her high heels. He hooked her arm to his, half-expecting her to protest and strut on her own, but she smiled and said, “Thank you.”

  Nicky, my boy. Tonight’s your lucky night. Try to be smart and don’t break the spell.

  A festive air cloaked the busy boulevard. Trees sparkled with colored bulbs and decorative garlands added to the spirit of the holiday season. Madelyn stopped in front of the shop windows and admired articles and novelties with enthusiastic exclamations. Her comments made him frown and grin, and cross his fingers that her transformation would last beyond the stroke of midnight.

  Blaring music wafted toward them. They entered the dimly lit restaurant-bar. The hostess sat them at a table for two and gave them menus. “Good idea. I’m starved.” He studied the items and looked at his companion. “What will you have, Madelyn?”

  “Grilled salmon and a Caesar salad. And a pink lemonade.”

  “Make that two,” he told the waiter. A soft drink would help him keep a cool head and avoid any wrong move, especially now that his gorgeous guest had managed to confuse the hell out of him.

  “Do you often go to the Sea-Waves Bar?” Madelyn asked while sipping her lemonade. This time she emptied half of her drink.

  “Once a month.” He abstained from reminding her he copied her on his emails when sending the get-together notice. She’d probably deleted his emails without even reading them.

  “I think I may start going too.”

  “Good.” So the change was real. He blessed whatever had triggered it.

  “What are your plans now that you’ve reached your goal?”

  “Ah…at the hospital?” Damn, she was discussing work again.

  “No.” She chuckled. “No hospital talk on break. I mean in general. What do you plan to do with yourself? Although I think you’re going to be busier than ever.”

  He relaxed in his chair and considered her. “True. But I will make time for fun once in a while.” He hoped she’d agree to share the fun with him. “Actually, as of tomorrow I will be looking for an apartment on the beach. This way, I can enjoy a quick swim when I am not at the hospital.”

  “Good idea.”

  The waiter brought their plates. Madelyn ate slowly, while he attacked his food heartily.

  “Where do you live?” He couldn’t believe he’d never asked her that question before, but then she’d always blocked any attempt at personal conversation.

  Her mouth curled into an adorable smile. “In an apartment on the beach.”

  “No kidding.” That would explain her smooth tan, highlighted by her white dress. “Which building?”

  “The Blue Lagoon.”

  “Really? My real estate agent said she’ll show me apartments in the Blue Lagoon and some other buildings next week.” He lowered his head to his plate and tried to suppress a wicked grin. He could fancy himself as a next door neighbor to Madelyn. Hmm, he’d call the woman tomorrow and ask her to start the showing with the Blue Lagoon.

  Madelyn shot him a quick glance but didn’t comment. She also hadn’t eaten much, half of her salad and a few bites of her fish, although she finished her second lemonade. “I’m full.” She moved her plate aside.

  He raised his eyebrows. “A dessert now?”

  “No thank you. But if you are done too, we can dance.” She glanced at the dance floor where three couples shook their hips, kicked their feet, twirled, and swung.

  He pushed his chair and grabbed her hand. Even if he hated hard rock music, he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to hold her in his arms. Half an hour later they were still dancing, sweating, and laughing while he twirled her and brought her against him.

  The music slowed. His arm around her waist, he held her hand, determined not to let her sit for the slow dance. She hooked her fingers around his nape and laid her forehead against his cheek. Her hair caressed his chin and her floral perfume wreathed around him. They swayed, hardly moving their feet. “Heaven,” the singer repeated over and over.

  “Heaven, I’m in heaven,” Nick whispered in her ear. She didn’t react. When the song ended, he brushed a light kiss on her temple.

  She eased away and smiled. “I have to go home. Tomorrow we have a long day.”

  He paid their bill and they walked hand in hand to his car. “Should I drop you home and we’ll collect your car tomorrow.”

  “No. Take me to the Sea-Waves’ parking lot. I live two minutes away.”

  Silence drifted between them
as he drove. His lungs swelled with a happy feeling. She’d given him the best congratulation present he’d ever received. As they approached the bar he tossed her a glance and froze.

  Her hands clenched in her lap. Shoulders slumped and lips slightly parted, she stared straight ahead. A frown wrinkled her forehead and her foot tapped the floor of the car. Why?

  Was she back to her old self?

  He stopped the car. “Madelyn, thank you for a great evening.”

  She immediately smiled and opened her door. “Thank you, I had a blast.” She bent and brushed her lips over his, and strode toward her car before he could recover from his surprise.

  He wanted to run after her, take her in his arms and ask her—

  Ask her what?

  His fingers clutching his steering wheel, he waited for her to enter her car and pull away.

  Would they ever share a similar evening again?

  Chapter Two

  As soon as she entered her apartment, Madelyn kicked off her high-heels and wiggled her toes. Without turning the lights on, she padded to her bedroom, the fancy sandals dangling from her hand. The city nightlights and the moon glow poured in through the wall-to-walls bay windows and bathed the quiet room with a hazy light that soothed her overwrought nerves.

  Keeping up the pretense of a fun evening had mentally exhausted her. She slid down the mini-dress that was so not her, and hung it in the remote corner of her closet, quite determined to never wear it again.

  The feel of a cotton nightie refreshed her overheated skin and put things back in the right perspective. Be fair, you had a good time with Nick. For a few hours she’d forgotten about her recent health problems and really enjoyed being held in his arms. Even though the man was a confirmed bachelor, tonight he’d made her feel special, cherished, protected.

  A snort escaped her. Sickening.

  Dr. Madelyn Ramsey didn’t need anyone’s protection—especially one coming from the most famous womanizer who’d ever dwelt in St. Lucy’s Hospital. Her jaw tightened in a death grip. Forget Nick. She’d better disregard this whole evening. It had been nothing more than a sedative to alleviate the hurt inflicted by the life sentence she’d received in the afternoon.

  Resolutely, she crossed her living room to settle for fifteen minutes in a lounge chair on her balcony and look at the ocean as she did every night. A fantastic therapy guaranteed to relax her after a long day at the hospital. When she reached the glass door, a continuous beep attracted her attention. Her answering machine.

  Darn, she hadn’t called her mother today. Madelyn entered her office and scowled at the blinking light. Good God, eight messages. Guilt flooded her. She pressed the play button. Sure enough, the first call at 7:30 pm was from her mother. “Still at the hospital? Honey, you really work too hard. Call me when you come home.”

  The second call followed at 8:00 pm. “Maddy, you’re still working? But you were on call last night. They’re going to kill you in that damn place.”

  Mom’s concern and exasperation escalated with her third and fourth calls, and sent Madelyn on a guilt trip. Biting her lip, she clicked on the fifth call. “Maddy sweetheart, I’m worried sick.” A few sniffles interrupted her mother’s trembling voice. “Darling, you promised you’d call every day when you’re not on duty. I tried to reach you at the hospital. They said you left. Why did you have to join that damn medical school?” Mom’s tone gained strength. “I should have insisted you marry Bert who adored you, and—”

  And stay on the farm with Bert. With a brisk tap, Madelyn ended her mother’s rattling. She’d heard it often enough in the past. Was it any wonder that she’d left Kentucky and held on her independence with both hands?

  The next message was from Heather. “For heaven’s sake, Maddy, call Mom. You’re going to give her a heart attack. She’s calling me every ten minutes to cry and curse your job at the hospital. Why couldn’t you have married Jeff’s brother and lived happily ever after on the big family farm as I did with Jeff? You could have had four kids like us by now. Anyway call Mom.”

  “Heather, mind your own business and enjoy your farm,” Madelyn snapped at the answering machine. Pain pinched her insides at the mention of four kids. She’d made her decision ten years ago and never regretted it.

  Until now? Regrets, Dr. Ramsay?

  No, not even now. Nothing could replace the thrill of saving babies. Certainly not Bert Bollin and his farm.

  Madelyn groaned and skipped Heather’s second call to take the next message. Her scowl relaxed as she recognized her sister Roxanne’s voice.

  Roxy rarely called. “Hi sis, apparently you sent Mom into a temporary nervous breakdown. Imagine she complained even to me. You better warn her once and for all that you’re too busy to call her more than twice a month, otherwise she’ll drive you insane with her over protectiveness. Been there. I know what I’m talking about. I wish you were out partying, wearing the pretty dress I gave you, rather than working. Having said that, let me add that if you have a problem and want to talk, don’t feel shy about ringing. Bye.”

  “Oh Roxy, thanks for the support. And for the advice.”

  Reaching for her cell phone, Madelyn texted her mother. “Mom, I’m fine. Very, very busy with a patient. Desperate medical case. Can’t talk now. Will call next week. Love you.”

  A sigh of relief escaped her. Now she needed her fifteen minutes on the balcony. But the reflection of the moon in the ocean and the hum of the waves didn’t appease her. A scent of algae wafted with the breeze and brought back happy memories, unwelcome at the moment.

  How could she perform the medical procedures necessary to save premature babies? On the other hand, how could she give up her career and stop practicing?

  Wetness tickled her eyes. No one could see her here in the darkness and the privacy of her eighteenth floor condo. She didn’t try to suppress her sorrow and let the tears roll down her cheeks. A moment later, her sobs dwindled and then ceased. She thought about her dad and his strength of character when cancer ravaged him. He kept working, “As long as I can move my legs and arms,” as he said.

  She’d take her medicine and hope things would improve, or at least wouldn’t deteriorate. And she’d party, with Nick, or Greg, or anyone from the hospital, and catch up on the fun she’d missed all these years. It had helped tonight. It might help again.

  ****

  Instant silence greeted Madelyn at the nurses’ station of the Children’s floor. All heads swiveled toward her, some with inquisitive frowns, others with subtle smiles. All waiting. Hailey, the nurse on duty, added a shiny Christmas ball to the small tree sitting on the reception desk. Well, she’d let them stew in their curiosity.

  “Good morning. Hailey, I’ll be in Delivery till noon.” Determined to avoid questions, Madelyn grabbed the sign-in clip board.

  “Well, just like that,” the young nurse blurted and flapped both hands on the reception desk. “I mean, after what happened last night, you can’t go back to the usual routine.”

  Madelyn slowly raised her head to offer her a cold stare. “Excuse me?”

  “Uh, I’m sorry.” Hailey’s head slumped into her shoulders. “I didn’t mean...”

  “Come on, Madelyn,” Greg intervened. “The whole clinic is wondering if you’re going to continue to be the fun person we discovered last night. Or if you’re reverting to that strict Dr. Ramsay who talks only about work.”

  Madelyn couldn’t help the quirk of her lips. “Why do I have the feeling you were taking bets?”

  Uncomfortable at best, Greg cleared his throat. “Actually—”

  “I’m very flattered by your interest. So let me reassure you. Yes, I plan to continue, or rather start having fun. After hospital hours. Are you satisfied?”

  A whoosh of relief answered her and above the din, Nick’s voice reached her. “Very satisfied.” His deep voice stirred a pleasant memory of their past evening, their dance together. A smile slid onto her lips.

  She spun to face him. “Nick.
” The man radiated charisma. How did he manage to be so bright and gorgeous at eight in the morning, after a night of partying?

  He’d quietly arrived while she debated how to handle the staff’s curiosity. “I was wondering if you enjoyed your evening.” His gaze riveted on her.

  “Very much,” she answered with the same tone. “Thank you. Now we have to work. Right, boss?”

  “Please, don’t call me that. Not you.”

  A snort escaped her. Who knew how long she’d be able to work for him? She’d taken her first pill last night before the party, another at bedtime and one this morning. Would three pills be sufficient to control her hands’ tremor and more importantly to prevent a seizure?

  “Madelyn? You’re not here.” Nick observed her with concern.

  “Just sorting the morning schedule in my mind.” She tilted her chin in that haughty way she often used to end an annoying conversation. “See you in Delivery.”

  “Not right away. Your first is with Greg. I’m on my way to a hysterectomy.”

  As she reached the door, he held her elbow, and they sprinted down the hallway. “Relax,” he urged after they exited the crowded lobby. “Having fun is supposed to be fun.” He chortled at his own words. “I’ve never seen you so nervous.”

  She shrugged and sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

  “I can show you how to relax.” He captured her gaze and she feared he might read her confusion, her anxiety and more.

  “Yes, I count on you.” Anything to get rid of him now before her mask cracked and self-pity engulfed her. She offered him a smile to reassure him and rushed to the Delivery Department.

  In the prep room, she covered her head with a cap and tied a mask around her neck.

  “Ready?” Sandra Morelli, the pediatric head nurse asked.

  “Almost.” Madelyn scrubbed at the sink and allowed Sandra to gown her.

  “When you left the clinic in the afternoon you were still your usual self, but when you arrived at the bar you’d metamorphosed into a different person. Pardon my curiosity, Maddy. What prompted you to change so radically in the span of two hours?”