She stared at the big diamond surrounded with baguettes. “Oh my God, this is gorgeous.”
“Dad gave it to Mom when they adopted me.”
“Anne Lee Meyer’s ring. No wonder it’s so big.”
“It’s my ring to give now. Madelyn, would you marry me anytime?
“Of course, I would marry you anytime.”
“Good. Because I contacted the hospital chaplain and told him we wanted a small private wedding as soon as possible. We’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Are you crazy?”
“You said you’d marry me anytime?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. We need to have an official marriage with legal papers as soon as possible so that we can apply for adoption.”
“Oh. Adoption. Marriage. Oh God.” Her head spun. So much good news at once.
Nick thought of everything and organized at full speed. Even when they were focused on their patients day and night. All week he hadn’t uttered a word about his previous proposal. For a few crazy moments, she’d wondered if he’d forgotten about it and the pre-Christmas events.
“Yes. Yes of course. Oh my God, we’re getting married and we’ll adopt our babies. Oh my God, I love you Nick. I love you so much.”
“To my fiancée and our happy marriage.” He raised his flute. She did the same and clicked it against his. “Easy on the bubbly, love. Only one sip for you.”
Her pulse raced with excitement. Nick would be hers. Forever.
And then a thought hit her and her smile fell.
“We can’t get married tomorrow. Mom would kill me. She’d waited so long to see me married. I can’t deprive her of—”
“Who said we’ll deprive her of the big church wedding in her Catholic cathedral and the lavish reception. She’ll have all the time in the world to organize it. Wherever she wants. I’ve explained to the chaplain we’ll have another wedding later. Like a renewal of vows.”
“I’m getting dizzy. Which one will be the real wedding?”
“Both, my love. Tomorrow’s, on paper. Later, for the world. Call Barbara, and announce our engagements. She’ll be happy to know I’ve followed the list of advice she gave me.”
“Which advice?”
“That’s between my mother-in-law and me.”
“I can’t believe we’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow. And the hell with your kisses only.”
She burst out laughing. Her body tingled with anticipation. Nick pulled her on his lap for a long sweet kiss that turned into an inferno. “Tomorrow is still too far away for me, darling.”
Epilogue
Nick pushed the brake of the wheelchair and bent to adjust his father’s bow tie. “It’s straight now.”
“Good. You look so smart in your tux. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.” How like Frank David to worry about appearances. “A year ago you were swearing you’d never get married. I’m glad you changed your mind. Finally. Lovely girl by the way.”
“So much has happened during this past year.”
To start with a five-minute ceremony with Greg Hayes and Sandra Morelli as witnesses. In less than an hour, the whole staff had learned about their big secret and celebrated in the cafeteria.
The next day Nick had rushed to the CPS headquarters with his certificate of marriage and filed for adoption. In the box, male or female, he wrote female Willis twins. In the race box, he entered Caucasian Willis twins. In the age bracket, he specified babies Willis twins. The page was filled with Willis twins.
Madelyn had burst out laughing. “They’ll either think you’re dense, or you’re convinced they are slow-witted.”
Two months later, Barbara had returned to spend the harsh winter days in Florida. To her mother’s surprise, Madelyn announced their not-so secret wedding, and Nick delicately explained to Barbara his wife’s medical condition and their reasons for adopting the babies.
After crying for an entire evening about her daughter’s condition, Barbara lent a helping hand in her own energetic way and befriended Louisa Mantay by regularly inviting her to scrumptious lunches. Soon the CPS asked Madelyn if they could extend her fostering assignment until they decided on adequate parents for the babies.
“I heard you’re adopting two girls. Strange, after you made it clear you hated anything related to adoption.” Frank examined Nick under his bushy brows. Confined to a wheelchair, the old man appeared frail but hadn’t lost an ounce of shrewdness.
“It’s not the adoption thing. It was your attitude.”
“Yet you’ve invited me to your big wedding in Kentucky.”
“You and mom are my family.” It was time to let go of his grudge. “That’s why I brought Mom. Even though she doesn’t realize what’s going on, I wanted her here. With us.”
“She’s still incredibly beautiful. I was happy to see her. The inimitable Anne Lee Meyer the crowd adored for years.” The old man blinked several times. “I was so touched when you asked me to be your best man. After all these years. I wish I knew how to thank you.”
“Tell me the truth,” Nick blurted. “The truth about my birth.” He knew it was a useless request that Frank had always rejected.
But the old man cringed. “It’s a sad story. I couldn’t hurt you, my only son, with the ghastly details.”
“Now, I’m a grown man and a doctor. Tell me while you still can.”
“On your wedding day? Why would I spoil it when we’re waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle?”
“Please, Dad.” Nick grabbed his hand and his last chance to learn the truth. “Who was my birth mother?”
Through the open door of the sacristy, Frank’s gaze flew to the altar of the church. “She was a beautiful Russian immigrant,” he murmured as if talking to himself. “Poor girl. Bad luck. Her pimp killed her.”
Nick’s breath caught in his throat. “Why?”
“She ran away when she got pregnant. But he found her. And killed her.”
“Was he the father?”
“No.” His crisp tone resonated in the silent room.
“How would you know?”
“I know... because I am your father.” A sob escaped the old man.
“You?” Frank was his real father? Nick rubbed his shoulder. “Why deprive me of the truth all these years?”
“Things weren’t rosy in my marriage. Anne Lee was a star traveling a lot. I was struggling and lonely when I met Natalia. She was a beauty. You have her looks. I gave her money so she wouldn’t go with other men. When she got pregnant, I helped her escape and supported her. But I needed Anne Lee and didn’t have the guts to leave her. Unfortunately the scum found Natalia and shot her. I came as soon as she called me. Too late for her. I took her to the hospital. She died during delivery. A sad story I wanted to spare you.” He wiped his eyes.
“Then what happened?”
“I went back to Anne Lee. She couldn’t have children because of a hysterectomy. So far I have been opposed to adoption. She was delighted when I told her I found a beautiful baby boy to adopt. At the hospital, my name was already on your birth certificate. Natalia had no papers on her. I told them her name was Anne Lee Davidson. I couldn’t tell the truth to Anne Lee, and risk my marriage and her rejecting you, but the lie was a torture for me.” The old man lowered his head between his hands. “I’m sorry I spoiled your wedding day.” His voice was a tired murmur.
“You didn’t, Dad. You gave me the best wedding gift. The truth.” He hugged his father as he’d never hugged him before, wishing he could erase the years of estrangement.
“Eventually you would have learned the truth. It’s in a letter in my will. I called you Nicholas Michael as Natalia wanted. Nick, you’re going to adopt these girls. Will you tell them about their birth parents? About the sad reasons that led to their adoption?”
Nick stared straight ahead, imagining the girls as young women. Eventually they’d learn the world was a mix of good and bad they’d have to
deal with. But he didn’t want them to suffer from uncertainty and resent him as he did his father.
“I will prepare them slowly until they learn the whole truth. No lies.” He patted a big envelope and handed it to Frank. “Dad, keep this hidden for me. It’s my wedding gift to Madelyn. The adoption certificates. They signed them last week.”
The Mendelssohn nuptial march chimed in the cathedral. “Time to meet my bride.” He pushed his dad’s wheelchair in front of the altar and waited for Madelyn to appear at the other end of the long aisle.
Instead of the white vision he’d anticipated, a red chariot carrying two adorable girls dressed in cherry velvet rolled along the carpet, pulled by two boys. Delighted by the ride and encouraged by the congregation’s applause, Celia and Liana giggled and threw rose petals on the floor.
When the chariot stopped in front of the altar, the toddlers tumbled out. Screaming with laughter, they tottered toward Nick.
“Come back here,” the big boys called. Apparently, the rehearsed scenario didn’t go according to the script.
“Dadda,” the little girls yelled.
Nick’s heart nearly burst with love. “It’s okay.” He bent and scooped them in his arms. “We’ll wait for Mommy together.”
The bridal cortege approached, with four lovely ladies all in burgundy velvet dresses—Madelyn’s sisters, each holding a bouquet of white roses.
“Mama,” the girls screamed.
Alone, lovely, and regal with a big bouquet of red roses in her hands, the bride slid along the carpet and walked toward him. A vision in white lace.
“Mama,” the girls repeated as Madelyn reached the altar.
“The three of you,” Madelyn whispered, her eyes widening with surprise.
“The three of us want to tell you how beautiful you are. Right, girls?”
“Dadda. Mama,” their daughters chorused.
“Off you go now.” Nick handed the little girls to their aunts and took his place next to his bride.
“Ready?” the priest asked.
They both nodded. “I’ve been ready for a year,” Madelyn whispered.
“And I’ve been ready for more than five years, my love.”
The priest smiled and started the wedding ceremony. With his bride’s hand tucked in his own, his daughters chirping in the background, and his father sitting in his wheelchair next to him, Nick knew that Christmas couldn’t get better. His family was his to keep.
“Would you take this woman...” the priest recited.
“I do.” Nick’s voice resonated in the cathedral. “And I’ll keep you all,” he murmured for Madelyn’s ears alone.
The End
A Note from the Author
Thank you for reading CHRISTMAS BABIES and the SWEET and SASSY BABY LOVE box. If you enjoyed this romance novel, please recommend and review the book, and other books by the same author.
Visit Mona Risk Amazon Page.
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Other books by Mona Risk
SWEET ROMANCES:
Heal my Heart: In a far away country, a baby girl, four little boys, and a handsome doctor may teach Dr. Jillian the true meaning of Christmas.
In Time For Christmas: Can Sylvia turn her life and career upside down for Baby Clementine and for James who wants her to stay with him for reasons he has trouble explaining?
Holiday Babies Series:
Holly Jolly Christmas: Prequel to the series.
Christmas Babies: A sweet and powerful Christmas Story.
Valentine Babies: Can he love a woman expecting another man’s baby?
Mother’s Day Babies: Never too late to find love and happiness.
Wedding Surprise: Is it the worst or best wedding surprise?
Christmas Papa: Who’s my Papa, Mommy?
On Christmas Eve: We want a mommy for Christmas.
Holiday Babies Series Box: Christmas Babies, Valentine Babies, Mother’s Day Babies.
The Senator’s Family Series:
Her Christmas Cruise: The perfect fiancé is a cheater and the fabulous Christmas wedding is off. But the would-be honeymoon cruise may fulfill the dreams of Julia and her unexpected companion.
Two Loves For Christmas: Her German shepherd is her only friend until a senator’s son refuses to take advantage of their fake engagement and teams up with her dog to protect her.
For Sarah’s Sake: A broken marriage. Second chance at love. And a precious little girl trying to escape danger and hatred to get herself a loving family.
Not Ready Yet: High school sweethearts separated by life...They meet years later, successful but different, each with a heavy baggage.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES:
Set in romantic or exotic international places, these romance novels are sizzling with passion, emotion and sensual tension.
Her Greek Tycoon: A sexy and humorous Romeo and Juliette Greek style, set in Mykonos Island.
To Love A Hero: Clash of cultures and intrigues between an American scientist and the Major General of Belarus.
Her French Count: Are his statue and chateau worth endangering the life of the impetuous young woman who’s turned his life upside down
Neighbors and More: Too close for comfort for condo owners in a Florida High Rise after a man drowns in a hot spa.
Husband for a Week: Sicilian vendetta, fake husband, and an irascible matchmaking grandmother complicate Jonathan and Isabella’s lives. Can love conquer all?
The Gods of Dark Love: From the Egyptian Mythology, the legend of the famous gods, Isis and Osiris.
Modern Princes:
A Bride For Prince Paul: She can’t abandon her patients for his crown!
A Bodyguard For The Princess: A murder at Harvard in Princess Chloe’s student building.
Jingle With My Princess: The doc and the princess... He saves lives but Princess Charlene may save his heart.
Prince Philip’s Cinderella: When the charming jogger who saves her from danger turns out to be a prince, her whole life might be about to change—if she can resist her urge to run!
Doctor’s Orders:
Babies in the Bargain: "ER" and "Grey’s Anatomy" in the NICU.
Right Name, Wrong Man: What’s a girl to do when she whispers another man’s name in her fiancé’s arms?
No More Lies: A lie that brings a smile or a truth drawing tears?
My books are also part of these multi-author boxes:
Love, Christmas
Love, Christmas 2
INVINCIBLE, Strong and Fearless
Sweet and Sassy
Sweet and Sassy Christmas
Sweet and Sassy Valentine
Sweet and Sassy Weddings
Sweet and Sassy on the Beach
Sweet and Sassy in the Snow
Sweet and Sassy Cinderella
Snowflakes and Christmas Kisses
Unforgettable Romances: Unforgettable Heroes
Unforgettable Heroes: Unforgettable Passion
Unforgettable Christmas: Gifts of Love
Unforgettable Valentine
Unforgettable Weddings
Unforgettable Suspense
Unforgettable Danger/
Unforgettable Passion: Unforgettable Charmers
Unforgettable Charmers
A Night She’ll Remember
About Mona Risk
A tireless traveler, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, MONA RISK, writes contemporary romance, medical romance, and romantic suspense novels, all simmering with emotion, sprinkled with a good dose of humor and set in the fascinating places she visited— or in Florida, her paradise on Earth.
Contact
Mona Risk can be found at:
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TO PROTECT HIS OWN
To Protect His Own
NY State Trooper Series, Book V
Jen Talty
USA Today Bestselling Author
/> Copyrights
Copyright © 2017 Jen Talty
Book Description
To hold onto the only man she’s ever loved, she’s going to have to dig up the darkest betrayal of all—the secret she’s kept from him...
Kenzie Chorley has worked at The Cavanaugh Equestrian Center since she was sixteen. It’s all she’s ever known, and all she’s ever wanted…other than Jake. But when he walked away from the farm, he walked away from her, too.
In an attempt to heal old wounds, they rekindle their passion, but the pain of the past is too strong, leaving Kenzie alone, bereft, and pregnant.
Dedication
To Joshua Thomas Craypo…Thanks for the use of your name!
To Jennifer Probst for letting me use every family name she has!
And a special thanks Brenda Margriet and Vivian Lux. Without you, this book would have never been published!
Praise for Jen Talty
“I positively loved In Two Weeks, and highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait to get my hands on future installments of the NYS Troopers series.” Long and Short Reviews
“In Two Weeks hooks the reader from page one. This is a fast paced story where the development of the romance grabs you emotionally and the suspense keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair. Great characters, great writing, and a believable plot that can be a warning to all of us.” Desiree Holt, USA Today Bestseller
“Dark Water delivers an engaging portrait of wounded hearts as the memorable characters take you on a healing journey of love. A mysterious death brings danger and intrigue into the drama, while sultry passions brew into a believable plot that melts the reader's heart. Jen Talty pens an entertaining romance that grips the heart as the colorful and dangerous story unfolds into a chilling ending.”~ Night Owl Reviews
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