Christmas Babies (10 page)

“And many children,” Maria added.
“What’s a man worth without children?”

Damn it. Madelyn had had it with
her neighbors and their annoying conversation.

“I think we should let Madelyn
rest now,” Nick intervened with his most bossy tone. “Dr. Ramsay, may I remind
you we have surgery at 7 am tomorrow.”

“Not to worry, Dr. Preston,” she replied
and suppressed a chuckle. “I’ll be at the hospital at 6:30.” For a change she
didn’t resent interference in her life.

“Good night, Madelyn.” Nick
gently pushed Maria to the door, and Bert followed.

Madelyn squeezed his hand. “Nick,
I’ll thank you tomorrow. The right way,” she murmured with a wink.

“I count on it.”

If only she could stop worrying about
him getting fed up with their easy going friendship.

Chapter Seven

“I think you’re taking the right
dose,” Sandra remarked as she joined Madelyn in the NICU. “No trouble at all
during the last five days.”

“None. Things went great in the
OR. I trained the residents and hardly reduced my work so far. See my hands are
steady.” She raised both palms and exhaled. “I owe it to Nick. His
understanding has smothered my anxiety. But I plan to cut my hours as soon as
my trainees improve their skills.”

“Madelyn, it’s none of my
business, but I couldn’t help noticing that Nick—”

“Stop, Sandra, please. Nick and I
are just friends.”

“Why do you insist on closing
your eyes?”

“Because relationships are not
for me. And apparently he prefers to avoid them too.”

Sandra threw her fists on her
hips. “What do you call this friendship? Isn’t it a relationship?”

“Who cares?” Madelyn shrugged.
“Why mess up what Nick and I have by trying to label it?” She’d just finished
her rounds in the nursery and the NICU, and bent over Liana’s bassinet. “How
are you sweetie pie?” Better to ignore Sandra and her exasperating questions.

The baby raised her arms and feet
toward her. Madelyn picked her up. Celia wailed. “One at a time, sweetheart.
I’m not taking unnecessary risks. You’re getting heavy, Liana. Me think you’re
due for a transfer to the nursery.”

“They’ve both outstayed their
welcome in the NICU. Both are above the weight limit,” Sandra said.

“No problem. I’ll officially transfer
them to the nursery.”

“And I’ll have to notify Child
Protective Services. A Louisa Mantay said she wanted to come and see you as
soon as they are moved to the nursery.”

“Oh God. And then?”

“She refused to talk to me. Only
to the doctor in charge.” Sandra reinforced her voice, probably imitating the CPS
woman. “That’s how she talks. I’m not important enough for her.”

Madelyn put back Liana in her
bassinet and signed the transfer forms for both babies. The twins protested
with loud screams. “Off we go. You’re upgraded to the big kids’ place.”

She and Sandra, each took a baby
and strolled to the next door area where they assigned cribs to the twins.
“Here are bottles to feed them while I call.”

Madelyn sat in the rocking chair
with Celia cradled in her arms. The baby suckled voraciously and then fell
asleep. Madelyn placed her in her crib and picked up Liana.

Sandra came back. “I have news
for you. Louisa is coming tomorrow to see you at 10 am. She wants you to sign
the discharge papers.”

“What? Has she found a family to
adopt the twins?”

“Don’t know. She refused to say
anything to me.”

****

The next morning Madelyn showed
up at the hospital at 9 am and headed to the nursery. Although it was a day off
for her, she examined the twins and entered her report in the computer. Later
she settled in a rocking chair and fed Liana a bottle. Satiated and happy, the
baby slept like an angel. Madelyn would have loved to keep her cuddled in her
arms, but her twin loudly protested. “Coming, Celia,” she called as she placed
a twin in her crib and picked up the other.

“Hi Madelyn, the woman from CPS
is here to see you,” Sandra said as she walked toward her. “Where do you want
to meet?”

“Bring her here, then I’ll take
her to the nursery office.”

Eyes wide-open, Celia still
sucked on her bottle. “Keep going, sweetie pie. I won’t deprive you of
nourishment.”

“Here is Dr. Ramsay,” Sandra said
to the tall African-American woman strolling at her side. “She’s off today but
came to the hospital, especially to meet you.”

The woman’s face brightened with
a proud smile. “Dr. Ramsay, I’m Louisa Mantay, from the Child Protective
Services.”

“Good morning, Ms. Mantay. I’ll
be with you in a minute.” Madelyn set Celia in her crib.

“Can I see the Willis twins first?”

“You’ve seen one in my arms, and
the other is in the crib next to her sister.”

“Are they healthy?”

“Perfectly healthy. I just
checked them half an hour ago.”

“You have a report?”

“Of course.” Madelyn held on to her
temper.

“In that case, I’ll take the
discharge papers and we’ll be out of your hair right away.”

Panic squeezed Madelyn’s stomach.
My babies are not going anywhere with you
. She slowly swallowed her
brewing anger and the bile rising in her throat. “This way, please.” She waved
the woman to the small office adjoining the nursery and showed her to a chair
while she sat behind the desk.

“The papers?” Louisa held out an
open palm.

“I need a moment to fill the
discharge forms.”

“They’re not ready yet?”

“Ms. Mantay, where will you be
taking the Willis twins?” Madelyn hated that name, but it was the babies’ name
until further notice.

The woman huffed impatiently. “To
a nursery that’s part of the CPS orphanage until we find a home for them.”

“You mean an adoptive family?”

“Dr. Ramsay, things don’t move
that fast with adoption. We have a list of prospective parents that we have to
match with the baby.”

Madelyn didn’t miss the singular.
“The
baby
. Not
babies
?
”
She raised a disapproving eyebrow.
“These are twins. I hope CPS doesn’t plan to separate the twin sisters?”

Louisa opened her hands. “Well, it’s
not easy to place two babies with the same family.”

Madelyn crossed her arms over her
chest. “I’m sure you know as well as I do that it’s not healthy to separate
twins.” Her crisp tone made Louisa fidget in her chair.

“Of course, Dr. Ramsay. Believe
me, I’m doing my best to find a family that would accept both together.”

“And until then?” The scowl she
fixed on the social worker had often intimidated residents and trainees.

“We’ll put them in a foster home.”
Louisa threw her an apologetic glance. “Together if we can or separately if
necessary.”

Madelyn almost jumped out of her
chair. “A foster home?”

“Yes. It’s an easy temporary
solution until we arrange something permanent. And it’s much quicker to sort
out.”

“Oh, I see.”
A foster home
.
Her pulse raced faster. A foster home would be ideal for Liana and Celia.
Especially if the foster mother... An idea sprouted in her mind. A beautiful,
crazy idea. “What are the specific requirements for foster parents?” Attentive,
she leaned toward the CPS social worker.

“The foster parents need to have
experience with the age group they are fostering. Before certifying them, we
check the family, financial status, background. No crimes, drugs, or contagious
diseases in the immediate foster family. An adequate home.”

“Hmm, so far, so good. I like your
idea of a foster home until you can find the right adoptive family.” Madelyn
smiled amiably.

Louisa seemed to breathe better.
“Believe me, we have the babies’ best interest at heart. But...” The woman frowned
and peered at her. “You seemed quite interested in the Willis twins, Dr.
Ramsay.”

“I am.” God, was she losing her sanity?
“One more question, Ms. Mantay. Can you consider foster mothers alone? No
foster dad in the picture.”

At the door, Sandra cleared her
throat. Madelyn ignored her.

Louisa straightened and raised
her eyebrows. “Like a gay family?”

“What? No, no. I was thinking
about a single woman. One living with her mother,” she improvised.
Mom, I
hope you’ll help me.
To think she’d ignored her mother’s concern so many
times, often repeating she didn’t need anyone’s help.

“Dr. Ramsay, I need to talk to
you,” Sandra called. “Now,” she insisted with a glare that spoke volumes.

Madelyn glanced at her friend’s
wide eyes, and bit her lips. “Sandra, I’m very busy with Ms. Mantay. Come back
later.”

“I hope it won’t be too late,”
Sandra muttered as she shook her head.

“So, Ms. Mantay?”

“A foster mother and grandmother
would be acceptable. Do you have someone in mind, Dr. Ramsay?” The social
worker said with a knowing smile.

“How about a doctor, pediatrician,
neonatologist, a baby expert who can not only take care of babies, but also
immediately diagnose any problem and treat it? Plus a grandmother to help
change, feed and cuddle a baby.”

Surprise swept over the social
worker’s face. “Are you proposing yourself, Dr. Ramsay? I heard you’re
extremely busy at the Women’s Clinic. How do you plan to take care of twins?”

Sandra bent toward her ear. “Are
you crazy?” Her groan echoed in Madelyn’s brain. Was she crazy? She so badly
wanted to feel like a mother. If only for three months.

“No. I’ll answer your questions
later, Sandra.”

“Dr. Ramsay, please, we don’t
have all day.” Louisa scowled at Sandra who wouldn’t budge from behind Madelyn.

“Yes, I’m very busy. Burnt out
even. So I’ll be working part time for the next three months. But I’ll miss
babies. And I love these twins.”

“I’m getting Nick here. Maybe he
can talk sense into you,” Sandra muttered against her hair.

“Go, Sandra.” Madelyn was
determined now. Neither Sandra, nor Nick would stop her. These babies would be
her Christmas gift to herself.

Louisa nodded. “I saw the way you
held one of them. Like it was your own.”

“Listen, Ms. Mantay, we’ll
exchange forms,” Madelyn said not wanting to lose the advantage she’d just
gained. “I’ll sign the discharge form right away while you fill the foster care
form with my name. Today is December 15.” She scribbled on the discharge form.
“You’ll be able to enjoy your holiday and won’t worry about the twins just before
Christmas.”

“Thank you. I m sure they’ll be
safe with you and your mother.” The social worker filled the foster care form and
handed it to Madelyn.

“Who exactly will be safe with
Dr. Ramsay and her mother?” Nick leaned against the door, his arms crossed over
his chest. Nick’s eyes held Madelyn’s gaze.

Her jaw dropped.
Darn
. Her
throat dry, she couldn’t utter a word.
Please, don’t mess up everything
,
she pleaded with her eyes.

“The Willis twins. Dr. Ramsay has
offered to keep them for three months as a foster mother.”

“Ah.” Nick stared at Madelyn. “A
foster mother,” he repeated slowly as if he’d never heard the words before.

“About the fees, Dr. Ramsay, we
pay—”

“I’m not taking a penny. Save the
money for families in need.”

“You’ll be a wonderful foster
mother, Dr. Ramsay,” Louisa said.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Nick’s
soft voice brought a wetness to Madelyn’s eyes. Thank God, he hadn’t expressed
too much shock.

“By the way, I’m Dr. Nicholas Preston,
Director of the Woman’s Clinic.” He held a hand to the social worker who shook
it with energy.

“Louisa Mantay, from the CPS.
Happy to meet you, Dr. Preston.” Louisa’s gaze roved with appreciation over
Nick’s face, shoulders and chest, and then she stood. “Glad it’s all settled.
Dr. Ramsay, I’ll call you in a few days to see if you need anything and I’ll
come to check your house. I should do it before you take the babies, but it’s
Christmas time and things are hectic now. I’ll keep looking for adoptive
parents.”

“Take your time. No need to work
hard over the holiday,” Nick said with his most charming smile. “Liana and Celia
will be in good hands and in a lovely home.”

“Good. You seem to approve of Dr.
Ramsay’s new endeavor.” The woman sent him a knowing look and left.

Nick spun toward Madelyn. “Care
to explain what’s going on?” The tilt of his head froze the words in her
throat.

She swallowed and cleared her
throat. “You heard. I know you think I’m crazy—”

“I do. But... You’ll make a
wonderful mother, Madelyn. Foster or real.” His smile was so sweet she threw
her arms around his neck.

“Thank you for understanding.
It’s only for three months. Now I need to convince Mom.”

“You sure you want her to come?
She’ll interfere with your freedom.” His grimace betrayed his annoyance. “Our time
together will be restricted.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Knowing her
Mom’s matchmaking tendency and her desire to see her daughter settled, Madelyn
thought she’d have a different problem on her hands. But for the sake of the
babies, she’d be willing to take a risk. “Mom is so good with babies. What with
five kids and four grandchildren. I’ll call her and then I’ll go shopping for
the girls.”

She stopped in front of the
twins’ cribs. “I’ll be back to take you home, sweethearts. A place where you’ll
be happy, I promise.”

Nick touched her shoulder. “Madelyn,
I hope you didn’t forget about the boat parade. We have to meet with Howard and
Nancy at noon.”

She froze. “No way. I can’t make
it. You go, Nick. Have fun.”

“Not without you. We’ll stop by
the Hughes’ place and then I’ll take you shopping.”

“Are you sure?” She couldn’t
believe Nick would sacrifice a day off to buy things for the twins. “It’s your
day off.”