McCallum Quintuplets by Kasey Michaels

Madeline.”
    She turned to see Zachary Beaumont coming toward her. “Rounds done so soon, Zach?” she asked. “How’s Maggie McCallum? I was just going up to check on her.”
    The obstetrician shook his head. “Our patient is fine, her babies look great on the ultrasound I ordered this morning, but the husband looks like he needs a long nap. Poor guy, he gets to worry about both his wife and the babies. Maggie is concerned only for the babies and doesn’t think about herself at all.”
    â€œIsn’t that always the way it is?” Madeline said, patting Zach’s arm as she leaned forward, hit the button to summon the elevator. “Mothers are always oblivious to their own possibilities for complications. Maybe it’s nature’s way of keeping them strong and focused on getting those babies safely to that delivery room?”
    â€œCould be,” Zach answered as the elevator doors opened. “Well, I’m off. There’s a stack of medical journals at home with my name on them, I’m afraid. See you tomorrow?”
    Madeline nodded, waved and then stood back as the elevator doors slid closed, opening again on the second floor. She waved hello to the nurses on duty and went directly into Maggie’s room, to find her patient sitting on the side of the bed, already dressed to go home.
    â€œNow this is a sight to gladden my heart, even on such a gray and rainy day,” Madeline said. “Where’s Adam?”
    â€œOh, he had to go to the office. Something about having our insurance cards photocopied, or something like that.” Then Maggie tipped her head, smiled. “You know,Madeline, it was pretty intense in here last night, but I did notice. I’m noticing again this morning. You look terrific. ”
    Madeline couldn’t help herself. She smiled, raised a hand to pat at her loose curls. “Thank you. I…I, well, I bought a new wardrobe. It was either that or my friends were going to burn everything I owned and leave me with nothing to wear.”
    â€œReally? I’ll bet there’s a story behind that,” Maggie said, then took hold of Madeline’s hand as she lowered her arm. “And this! I saw it last night. I mean, who could help it? Diamonds sparkle so beautifully in overhead lights, don’t they? Is it new?”
    Madeline covered the bracelet with her left hand. “Yes, as a matter of fact it is. A birthday present, actually. I just got it last night.”
    â€œYour birthday was yesterday? Oh, Madeline, I’m so sorry. I imagine the hospital was the very last place you wanted to be last night. Especially after that gift. Somebody is very serious about you, Madeline. Can you give me a hint?”
    Madeline could feel the blood draining from her cheeks. “Oh, no, no. You’ve got that wrong, Maggie. The bracelet is from a friend.”
    â€œThen he’s a very good friend,” Maggie said, and beckoned to her husband, who’d just walked into the room. “Adam, look at this bracelet. Would you call that a gift from a good friend? Come on, Madeline, stop covering it up and show Adam.”
    Sighing, Madeline gave in and did as Maggie asked, holding out her arm so Adam could look at the bracelet.
    Adam gave a low whistle. “A friend, huh? Madeline, I’m no expert, but I’d say at least one of you has a different definition of the word friend. ”
    Madeline felt the color rising into her cheeks. Her entire body seemed to blush. “What…what do you mean?”
    â€œMaybe I can help,” Maggie said as Adam hovered over her, helping her to her feet. “Men—and I’m right, I imagine, that the bracelet came from a man?—well, unless they’re millionaires, they do not give diamond bracelets to good friends. They give them to girl friends. Serious girlfriends. Getting ready to go down on one knee and propose to her type girlfriends.”
    As