Christmas Babies

by Mona Risk

  Never forget that. Madelyn arched her eyebrows. Annoyance and panic engulfed her. The Clinic gossip would operate at double speed for an interesting bit of news related to Dr. Ramsay and her health.

  “I’m done here. You can dress the newbies. They’re doing great.” Madelyn typed her report on an electronic pad and moved around the NICU to check the other newborns. On her way out, she passed in front of the incubators. Wailing froze her in her tracks. Baby A was crying.

  Madelyn bent toward her, rubbed her stomach, and stroked her cheek. The newbie turned her head. Soft lips grazed Madelyn’s finger. Their touch sent her heart in a tailspin. She wanted to hold and comfort the crying bundle and promise her she’d find a loving family. Like Madelyn’s family. And a loving mother, as loving as Madelyn would have been if she could have children. A sob gurgled in her throat.

  “Sandra,” she called, “Please, hold Liana. Don’t let her cry.”

  Stunned, the nurse threw her a shocked glance. “Don’t worry. I’m bringing bottles of water. I’ll feed both Liana and Celia,” Sandra added with a knowing tone, her mouth curling at the sides.

  “I know they’re in good hands. I didn’t mean... Sorry. I’m leaving. Good night.”

  Her emotions in a riot, Madelyn sprinted out of the NICU, before she said another wrong word and hurt her best friend’s feelings.

  What a lousy day. First her hands shaking in the OR, then Nick losing a patient and bursting out in irritation; and now those two adorable babies abandoned in her NICU.

  Don’t hug them, Dr. Ramsay. A doctor should not get attached to her patients. Especially when the doctor was a pathetic mess who couldn’t have children of her own.

  Life was so unfair. With angry movements, she peeled off her scrubs, donned her skirt and shirt, and yanked her purse over her shoulder to go rest at home.

  As she reached the lobby, Nick caught up with her. “See you in an hour.”

  Her hand clenched on the straps of her bag. “What? Why? We have another emergency?”

  His face fell. “Oh? I thought you’ve invited me for dinner. It’s okay if you’ve changed your—”

  “Of course not.” A sigh escaped her and she forced herself to smile. “I’m sorry I’m so distracted. I thought... Never mind. See you at six sharp.” She waved at him and rushed to the parking lot.

  Would spending time with Nick stress her even more? She’d have to be on constant alert. As a friend he displayed an annoying clairvoyance she couldn’t always avoid. As if he could see beyond her fake smile and guess her problems. So far, she’d been able to divert his medical intuition. But flirting with Nick could lead to a dangerous dead-end way.

  What had she started?

  ****

  Nick lowered the canopy of his BMWand whistled the cheerful tune he usually hummed in the shower. Heavens had finally smiled upon him. His promotion and Madelyn’s good disposition might bring a welcome change and fill the emotional void in his life— a void he’d hidden under a cover of hard work and superficial fun for years.

  Not that he’d ever disregard his resolution of no commitment, no marriage. Madelyn seemed to share his outlook on life and, as far as he could tell, she too had avoided marriage, family, and responsibilities unrelated to work. That should make them a good pair. His whistling got louder as the rush hour traffic forced him to decrease his speed to a crawl.

  For a change he took the time to observe the large boulevard and the maze of illuminated gardens and twinkling topiaries. In spite of the balmy breeze and warm temperature, the holiday season decorations brightened streets and buildings. Tall and majestic, the palms trees sparkled with spirals of colorful bulbs around their trunks and twinkling garlands swayed between the palm fronds.

  The vibrant and crisp colors reminded him of home, years ago when his mother and father still spent Christmas with their little boy like a real family. When Dad requisitioned his help to loop the decorations around the big house and the lavish garden, and Mom issued suggestions and compliments. The Christmas vacation in Connecticut always went too fast. Shipped back to his boarding school in Boston, little Nicky never understood why his parents were always too busy to keep him home like the rest of the kids in their neighborhood.

  You were not like the other kids. More precisely, Anne Lee Meyer and Frank Davidson were not made of the usual parent material. Derision over his self-pity eroded the pain of the past.

  The Blue Lagoon loomed in front of him and interrupted his musing, thoughts that depressed him if he allowed them. But he’d learned years ago to put a lid on the memories and the anger.

  Ten to six. He’d made it on time in spite of the slow-moving traffic. Madelyn had provided an incredible remedy to his gloomy mood. At the reception desk where he signed in, the security guard told him Dr. Ramsay expected him. A big grin widened his mouth.

  Madelyn expecting him. Boy did he like that.

  She opened the door as soon as he knocked. And she took his breath away. Sassy and lively in tight yellow capris and a printed strapless blouse, her curls framed her face and her hair tumbled over her naked shoulders the way she had styled it last night. Her floral perfume wafted toward him and dazed his mind.

  “Lovely,” he blurted. He could have punched himself at his lack of control. Don’t forget this is Dr. Ramsay. Yeah, but... she looked so different and he liked what he saw. “I mean— ”

  But Madelyn burst out laughing and pulled at his hand. “Come in. No time to waste. We have a lot of business to cover.”

  “Uh?”

  “I’ll give you a tour of my place. Then we’ll visit my neighbors. They are expecting us. Then we’ll have dinner. By the way, I discovered my real estate agent is the same one you’re using. Would you like me to ask her to come and meet us here?”

  Now he recognized the Madelyn he knew. Energetic and efficient. Not bad, as long as she kept the same upbeat mood and the same smile. “I’d rather meet the real estate later.” And not spoil our tête-à-tête time. “Thank you. You went to a lot of trouble.”

  “Not at all. Let’s not waste time. Help yourself at the bar. And then follow me.”

  “What will you have?”

  She gestured to the glass of water on the table. “I already have mine.” He poured himself a Johnnie Walker on the rocks and raised his glass. “Cheers. To your health.”

  He caught the subtle stiffening of her shoulders but thought he’d mistaken her reaction as she blinded him with a radiant smile. “Cheers. To you.” She sipped her water, and then gestured around. “This is my living and dining room combination.”

  “You have a beautiful place and a very nice taste in decoration.” He admired the modern off white leather sofa and loveseat, and the matching chairs surrounding the brass and glass dining room table. Similar corner tables ended the sofa and loveseat. An antique, wood carved sailor chest acted in lieu of cocktail table and a couple of brown velvet Louis XV armchairs added an old-fashioned accent to the room. Vibrantly colored paintings adorned the walls and mirrors hung in strategic places to reflect the ocean.

  “What a view,” he said as he walked to the balcony.

  “It’s the eighteenth floor. I have an unobstructed view of the pool area, beach, and ocean.”

  “Gorgeous. I’m convinced I want it too.” His gaze flipped from the outdoor scenery to his companion. Oh yes, he wanted it all.

  He followed her to her bedroom. Simple conventional off-white furniture with no specific decorations. Except for the numerous picture frames on the night tables, the dresser, and chest of drawer, and a wide silver-framed family portrait hanging on the wall.

  “Your family?” It was a good opportunity to learn more about his colleague.

  “This picture was taken a year before Dad got sick. Cancer claimed his life in less than five months. He died six years ago.”

  “I’m sorry. You must miss him a lot.” The man appeared to be in his early fifties and had a confident and proud expression.

  “Yes, I do.
” Her eyes misted. “He wanted us all around him as if he felt things would change soon. Mom too changed after his death. Now she’s continuously afraid something may happen to one of us.”

  He counted the pretty heads in the picture. “How many sisters do you have?”

  “We’re five. I’m the oldest. Roxanne is two years younger but very independent. Mom gave up on reining her. She’s a reporter for CNN. Heather is three years younger, married to a farmer. She already has four kids, four adorable and noisy boys. Claire just graduated from Harvard, School of Architecture, and is staying in Boston for an internship. Tiffany is still in college in Kentucky, not too far from home. She’s not sure of what she wants to do.”

  “Wow, five girls and no boys.”

  “We had a brother, between Roxy and Heather. He died at three, hit by a car as he was running after a ball. Mom almost lost her mind after that. We cried for months. A horrible accident.”

  “I can imagine it was very hard on all of you.” Coming from a big loving family it was logical that Madelyn would want to have children too. How come she never got married? “So except for one sister, none of the others are married?” He hoped to get his answer through subtle questions.

  “Roxy has a boyfriend she sees when she’s not running around the world. Claire is engaged and will be married next June. Tiffany was ready to marry her high school sweetheart, but we insisted they both should finish college first.”

  The hell with subtlety. “And Madelyn?” he blurted.

  She shrugged. “Never had time for that stuff. I was committed to my career.”

  A woman after his own heart. He grinned. “Exactly what I did. But having a career doesn’t preclude fun.”

  “That’s what I realized recently. From now on I’ll have fun too.” Her jaws clenched together as if she’d just decided to undergo surgery.

  Nick made the resolution to do everything on earth to keep her smiling and have her share his type of fun.

  “The other room is my office and guestroom.” She walked him to the next room. Here a desk and computer sat under the bay window overlooking the view of the Intracoastal and the intricate pattern of canals crossing the main waterway. A couple of bookcases displayed heavy medical books and stacks of journals. A sofa bed and TV completed the furniture.

  “They’re all good size rooms,” Nick remarked. “I would love something similar, on any level from the tenth and above.”

  “Come let’s go to Mrs. Fontana. She lives in a one bedroom and is my next door neighbor.” Madelyn led him to the building corridor and knocked on a door.

  A white-haired woman opened and greeted them with a smile. “Madelyn, my dear, come in.” A warm scent of potpourri welcomed them.

  “Maria, this is my colleague and new boss, Dr. Nick Preston.”

  “Just colleague and friend,” Nick corrected. He hated when Madelyn insisted on the formality of their new business relationship.

  “Ah a friend? Come in, doctor.” Did he have the impression the old woman’s voice had cooled down several degrees? “See I have this small apartment. Probably too small for you. I’ll show you.” She rushed them through her bedroom, waved to the bathroom and stood at the entrance of the kitchen. “Just enough for me. But probably not what you want.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Fontana. I really appreciate you showing me your place,” he said when they came back to the living room.

  “Maybe you can hang a painting for me?”

  “Of course.” Anything to thaw the frigid atmosphere around them.

  “Madelyn dear, can you get your hammer and nails, please.” Mrs. Fontana almost shoved the young woman out of her apartment.

  As soon as Madelyn was out of hearing, the old neighbor turned to face him. “I saw the way you look at Madelyn. She’s not your type, doctor. My niece’s son is in love with her and can’t wait to marry her. His brother is already married to her sister Heather. They are good girls. Not your type.”

  Nick almost scrubbed his ears to make sure he’d heard her correctly. “Ma’am, I have no bad intentions toward Madelyn. We just work together.”

  “She said you’re her boss. And you call her a friend. But I saw how you look at her. In a workplace, that’s called harassment.” The irascible woman jerked her finger in his chest. “She’s not for you. She needs a good husband and children. Madelyn takes care of me and I’m a friend of her mama. She comes from a big loving family.”

  That was a low blow. It struck a raw nerve. He came from a small almost nonexistent family. “Rest assured I respect Dr. Ramsay and I won’t bother you again.”

  Madelyn returned with the required items. “Thank you, dear,” the old woman smiled. “Bert will be here next week. He’ll hang it for me. Bert is such a nice guy. He can’t wait to see you again, dear.”

  “Oh.” Madelyn pinched her lips and hugged her neighbor. “Thanks you for showing your apartment, Maria. Don’t forget to take your Lasix.” She rushed to the door as if she couldn’t wait to get out and looked at him anxiously. “I hope she didn’t say something annoying when I went to bring the hammer?”

  “She mentioned your friend Bert.” He couldn’t suppress a twitch of his lips.

  “Drat. He’s my sister’s brother-in-law. Nice guy, but... what can I say?” Her sigh spoke volumes and relaxed him.

  “Don’t say anything. Do you want a few days off next week when Bert visits his aunt? Or do you want to be on call?” He winked at her, and she burst out laughing.

  “I’ll be on call for sure.”

  Exactly what he wanted to hear. He didn’t like competition around Madelyn. Not when he’d finally stepped in her circle of close friends.

  “Let’s go to visit Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. Their three-bedroom condo is on the eleventh floor. They are expecting us.”

  He loved it when she referred to them as us. “After you, Dr. Ramsay.”

  And he loved it when she chuckled.

  Madelyn introduced him to Howard and Nancy Hughes, a couple in their early sixties, jovial and easygoing. They had a gorgeous place and enjoyed showing it. Nick accepted a drink and moved to the splendid bar separating the dining room space from the living room.

  “Do you like sailing and fishing?” Howard asked in his friendly baritone voice.

  “Sailing yes. I’ve always wanted to buy a boat, but never had time.”

  “You should come with us. Nancy and I love cruising the Intracoastal and sailing to the ocean. We’ll take Madelyn of course.” The man leaned toward him and lowered his voice while Madelyn chatted with his wife in the kitchen. “I can understand your interest. Nancy has been trying to match make her with all the bachelors we know. She never seemed interested. Until today. You lucky man.” Howard punched him on the shoulder. “We’ll help you.”

  Taken aback by the out-of-place assumption, Nick stiffened. “There’s nothing between Dr. Ramsay and I. We just work together.”

  “If you say so.” Howard tilted his head with a sarcastic arch to his eyebrows. “Although Nancy noticed the way our lovely neighbor looks at you. And my wife is an expert at detecting these things. She was a psychologist. You can’t trick her.”

  “Really?” Nick narrowed his eyes but smiled. “Interesting.” The women returned carrying platters of cheese, crackers, and various hors d'oeuvres. “Madelyn, Howard wants to invite us for a boat ride.” How he loved saying that us.

  “We’ll plan an outing for December 15,” Howard immediately elaborated. “On the day of the boat show parade. You’ll enjoy it.”

  “I’m not sure...” Madelyn started, her gaze shifting from Nick to their host. “I may be on call.”

  Howard interrupted her. “Can Nick do something about it? You mentioned he was your boss now.”

  Blast the man for reminding them of their new status. What if Madelyn used the excuse of not mixing work and fun, especially with a superior? “Our doctors set their own schedules,” he hastened to specify. “If Madelyn is interested in boating, she can sign up for a f
ree day.”

  She checked her iPhone. “No problem. I’m off on the 15th. We can go around noon. It’ll be fun.”

  No kidding? She’d agreed right away. Joy filled his lungs.

  “We’ll jump off the boat at the Chart House for a quick lunch,” Nancy explained as she offered them hors d'oeuvres. “Then we’ll continue to the ocean and come back in the evening for the boat parade.”

  “Perfect.” Nick looked at Madelyn. She nodded her approval. Swell.

  They exchanged a light banter and ate the appetizers. “We’ll see you later,” Madelyn stood to leave.

  “Thank you so much for showing your beautiful condo,” Nick added.

  As he followed her, Nancy patted his arm and whispered, “I knew it. You’re the one for her.”

  Nick swallowed wrong. He wasn’t the one for anybody.

  If Madelyn wanted to marry, she deserved better than Nicolas Preston. A man with a heavy emotional baggage.

  How could he explain to her he wanted no commitment when he was doing his best to date her, when she’d finally given him the time of the day outside the hospital?

  Chapter Four

  “So, you like my building?” Madelyn entered her apartment and spun toward him. Her eyes twinkled with green specks.

  “I love it.” Mesmerized, he returned her smile and lowered his gaze. Nicer view if possible. The printed strapless blouse clung to her breasts and the yellow capris revealed a pair of perfect long legs.

  Warning bells jingled in his ears. Careful, man. Or you may love more than the Blue Lagoon high rise.

  “I’ll cut the roast and warm the casserole.”

  He frowned as soon as she sprinted to the kitchen, but followed her. “What can I do to help?”

  “I already set the table. Why don’t you get the salad out of the fridge and open the bottle of Merlot that’s on the bar.”

  “Right away.”

  He poured the wine, then carried the salad and platters to the table.

  “This is the first time I invite anyone to my place other than the family. My mother always said grace before dinner. Do you mind—”