Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (18 page)

“I’d rather be with you in
Atlanta, than having you traveling too often and leaving me and the girls
behind. I’ll study the medical opportunities in the Atlanta hospitals,” Greg
replied.

“I’ll hate to see you leave Fort
Lauderdale,” Madelyn said. “But now you’ll have Mom in Atlanta too.”

“Don’t worry, girls,” Barbara
said. “I plan for us to divide our time between my house, here in Lexington to
be with Heather, the condo in Fort Lauderdale to see Madelyn and her family, Lou’s
apartment in Atlanta to allow him time to work and to be with Roxanne if she
moves there, and traveling abroad on business and vacation. How about that,
Lou?”

“It’s perfect, my darling, too
good to be true. I’m sure there’ll be glitches here and there. But we’ll be
together.”

“Are we ready for a toast?” Nick
raised his glass. “To Barbara, our wonderful mother, and mother-in-law, who
keeps us united. And to the lovely young mommies who make us so happy.”

They clicked their glasses and
sipped.

“Another toast.” Greg rose from
his chair. “To Lou and Barbara, congratulations and may they be very happy
together.”

“Can I make a toast to my lovely
fiancée?” Lou suggested. “To the woman who taught me the true meaning of love
and who showed me that a family is the most important thing in the world.” He
clanked his glass against Barbara’s.

“When is the wedding?” Monica
asked.

“We’ll have to talk about it,”
Barbara answered while they savored her dinner. “I’d like a church wedding,
followed by a small family gathering.”

“I’d like that very much,” Lou
said. “The date is already set in my mind. A quick ceremony. I hate long ones. How
about a wedding on Father’s Day?”

Barbara scanned her daughters’
faces for their reactions.

“I’m sure our dad is smiling upon
you, Mom,” Heather said with a smile.

“He would be happy if we welcome
Lou into our family,” Roxanne added.

“Father’s Day will be a great day
for your wedding, Mom,” Madelyn decided for her sisters.

Tears of joy rolled on Barbara’s
cheeks. Having received David’s blessing through her daughter’s words, she
smiled, content that she had found a new happiness without betraying her first
husband’s memory.

Epilogue

On Father’s Day, the Ramsay clan
and friends gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington,
Kentucky. Respecting Barbara’s desire for a small family wedding, Lou had
specified to his staff that he didn’t want any publicity.

As soon as the bridal limousine stopped
at the curb in front of the church, photographers, anchormen, and reporters
popped from behind columns and pews.

Lou gasped, unable to believe KNR
had disregarded his orders. He was sweating in his tuxedo, and his annoyance at
the heat escalated. He scowled. “I said I don’t want—”

“I know, you said you want only
family and close friends.” Monte Damon grinned to his ears and clapped his News
Director on the shoulder. “You can’t ignore us overnight, just because you’re
getting married. We at KNR were your only family for years.”

Lou’s pulse slowed down at the pleasant
tone of the producer and he shook his friend’s hand. He had chosen Monte Damon
for best man and couldn’t forget the KNR staff who’d been so close to him. “You
brought your wife?”

“Yes, we’ve reconciled. When I
heard you saying a good wife is worth more than a career, I begged Betty to
take me back. We’ll probably run a quickie about your wedding in the news,” he
added with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Your Assistant Director has decided it’d
be a good story. Roxanne Ramsey Hayes gives the orders now.”

Ah, Ms. Hayes now followed her
own agenda but Lou didn’t have time to argue with Roxanne. The mother was
getting ready to exit the limousine. Lou strode to the altar with his best man
and waited for his bride.

The
Mendelssohn
Wedding March chimed through the
cathedral that was suddenly filled with more people than he’d remembered
inviting. Monte nudged his elbow. “I took some liberties with your guest list.
We couldn’t invite some and ignore others, so I told them that everyone at KNR
was invited to our News Director’s wedding.”

“Everyone? You must be joking.
Barbara will have my hide.”

“Not to worry. Your bride is a
gem. Besides, we’ve decided KNR will foot the bill for the reception. I’ve
already talked to the hotel manager of the Marriott Hotel where you’re holding
your party.”

So be it, they would have two
hundred guests at the reception. “I’m very touched and I know Barbara will be
pleased by this display of loyalty.” He was also proud to see that the staff appreciated
their big boss enough to come all the way from Atlanta for his wedding. He
turned to watch the bridal cortege.

In long evening gowns of
different colors and shapes, the Ramsay daughters, lined up in chronological
order, each one stunning.

Madelyn entered first on the arm
of her husband, followed by Roxanne and Greg, and then Heather and Jeff. Claire
and her fiancé came behind. Lou burst with pride at the sight of Monica lovely
in a long blue dress, with Baby Chris in her arms. Jake walked by her side, carrying
Baby Lou.

Heather’s two younger sons held
candles and carefully shuffled along the aisle. Her two older boys pulled a red
chariot carrying Madelyn and Roxanne’s sets of twins. The four adorable little
girls threw rose petals along the aisle to the congregation’s delight. Smiling
guests flashed their cameras.

The only bridesmaid, Tiffany proceeded,
a bouquet of pink roses clutched in her hands.

Finally Barbara appeared, all
alone, radiant in a long white dress and holding a single white lily, exactly
as Lou had imagined her when he’d insisted she wore formal bridal attire.

His gaze focused on her and a
lump formed in his throat. “You’re beautiful, my love,” he whispered when she
reached him. He took her hand and kissed her fingers.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest
started. “Who gives this woman in marriage?”

A choir of feminine voices
answered, “We do.”

The congregation burst out
laughing.

The priest continued with his
official ceremony, “If anyone knows of a reason why this couple can’t be
married, let him speak now or hold his peace forever.”

Baby Chris and Baby Lou answered
with cries.

“Not now, rascals, shush.” Lou
scowled at his grandsons.

“Dad, you made them cry louder,”
Monica scolded. She and Jake rocked them, to no avail. Their shrieks covered
the background noise.

“Mama, baby
cwying
,”
Madelyn’s toddler squealed.

“Baby
booboo
,
cwaying
,”
her supportive twin repeated.

Roxanne’s twins joined the
chorus. Baby screams echoed from the front row of the pews.

Barbara turned to Monica.
“Sweetie, they’re hungry. Go feed them.”

“Not now. I can’t miss the
wedding.”

“Okay, let me have—” 

“No,” Lou said firmly. “You’re
not holding any babies now.” He clasped her hand under his arm. “Father,
please, hurry up, or my bride will go and feed six babies herself.”

“Okay.” The priest scowled and
rubbed his forehead. “Would you Louis George Roland take Barbara—” 

“Yes, I take her as my lawfully
wedded wife. I’ll hold her and cherish her and keep her and her babies safe all
my life.”

Loud guffaws exploded from
various parts of the church.

“And I do take you, Lou as my
cherished husband,” Barbara’s high-pitched voice rose above the babies’
screams. “The rings, Lou, quickly. The poor things are losing their voices.”

“Here. I
thee
wed and you
thee
wed me,” Lou muttered as they slipped the rings on each other’s fingers.

His best man scoffed. “You
butchered
olde
English.”

“Monte, please, have some strong
coffee ready for us after that cacophony. My head is about to burst.”

“Mine already did,” the priest
mumbled. “I declare you husband and wife. Kiss your bride and go feed these
monsters.”

Lou laughed and took Barbara in
his arms for a short hot kiss. The guests clapped hands and the photographers
clicked pictures.

“Way to go, Dad,” Monica said
before turning around. “Jake, please bring me my poor baby.”

Parents ushered their kids out.
The organist started an
Alleluia, Alleluia.

“Alleluia,” the priest repeated,
as he disappeared into the sacristy.

Barbara wiped a tear. “Oh Lou, it
was the most beautiful wedding with all the children around.”

“Bless their little hearts.
Thanks to them the ceremony didn’t last five minutes. Now I can give you a real
kiss, Mrs. Roland.” Their lips joined for a long passionate kiss and their
hearts sang together of love.

Thank you for
reading
Mother’s Day Babies

If you enjoyed this romance, I
would appreciate it if you'd help other readers enjoy it too.

Recommend the book
. Please
help other readers find this book by recommending it to friends, readers'
groups, and discussion boards.

Review the book
. Please
tell other readers why you liked this book by reviewing it on Amazon, Goodreads
or your blog.

If you write a review for
Mother’s
Day Babies
on the Amazon book page,
please
notify me at
[email protected] and I will send you a copy of one of my other contemporary
romances as a gift.

Thank you!

*
* * *

If you enjoyed
Mother’s Day Babies
, you
might also enjoy these other books by Mona Risk

Christmas Babies

Holiday
Babies, Book 1

More than 47 five-star reviews.
Praise for
Christmas
Babies
...

“Mona
Risk once again delivers an emotional story of great depth that touches the heart.”~
Debbie A.

“Love the book. I read it in one
night and couldn’t put it down. The author is very good. I want to read more of
her books.”~
L. Holloway

“This
was a good book I would read again in the future.”~Danielle Whitney

“Very
heartfelt and funny. Colorful and sad, but a great book to read.”~ Chrisy
Miller

“I
enjoyed it immensely and definitely keeping it to reread it.”~Christina Strawn

 A heartwarming holiday story,
set in South Florida.

Christmas is such a joyful
Season. Except for the serious Dr. Madelyn Ramsay who has no time for fun. An
unexpected health problem jolts her into the realization that there’s
more
to life than just work—
more,
like dating the charming but secretive Dr.
Nick Preston and caring for the newborn twins nobody wants. Or
more
,
like enjoying her Christmas gifts before it’s too late.

Read a sample or buy
Christmas
Babies
on Amazon.com:
http://tinyurl.com/burgd9j

*
* * *

Valentine Babies

Holiday
Babies, Book 2

More than 53 five-star reviews.
Praise for
Valentine
Babies
...

“This
is a sweet love story. It flows really well and is well written. It will take
you on an adventure; heart ache, tragedy, falling in love, overcoming fears all
with a happy ending.”           ~ Ravin

“Valentine
babies was a great read that was sweet and satisfying romantic read that leaves
you feeling all warm and fuzzy
”~
Lori A
Tyler

“
I am a hopeless romantic. Not many books make me happy but
this one really did
.”~A. Martinez

“
Quick reading story. Had me hooked from the beginning.
”~ Beth Henry

Fearless
reporter, Roxanne Ramsay, doesn’t think twice before traveling for important
assignments, even in a war zone—until her last trip leads her to a
life-altering mistake.

At
his best friends’ wedding, Dr. Greg Hayes, who has a serious phobia of planes,
can’t take his eyes off the lovely maid of honor. But why is Roxanne blinking
away tears? Getting involved with the strong-headed and too generous reporter
involves more complications than the bright doctor has ever faced in the OR.
Yet what wouldn’t he do to save the love of his life and her baby?

Read a sample or buy
Valentine
Babies
on Amazon.com:
http://tinyurl.com/avb2kbu

Babies in the Bargain

Babies in the Bargain, voted BEST
ROMANCE NOVEL at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2009.

Babies in the Bargain won 2010
BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVEL at Readers Favorite.

Praise for
Babies in the
Bargain
...

“Babies
in the Bargain is one novel that pulls you into the story and holds you captive
to the last page.”~ Romance Junkies

“Babies in the Bargain was just
amazing! It started out very dramatic and got my attention from the first
paragraph.”~
The Long And The Short Reviews

“The
story is one that will leave the reader believing in the power of true love.”~
Sally Pink Reviews.