Soon To Be Brides

Chapter Two

Everyone pitched in to clear away the dishes, and packed up their own containers to take home. Paper and pens were then produced to take notes on what Carolyn was going to say regarding the trip to China. She passed out a packet of papers.

“The information on these sheets,” Carolyn said from where she sat at the head of the table, “touches on the high spots of what I’m going to tell you.” She laughed. “Experience has shown that our new moms and dads can get a bit spacey on the night they receive their match pictures, so we put some of the data in print for you to read later.”

Everyone laughed and Caitlin smiled at Matt, who was still sitting next to her.

“Do I look spacey to you?” she said.

She looked pretty as a picture, Matt thought, staring directly into her eyes.

“You’re over the top,” he said, smiling. “Totally zoned.”

“I’m sorry I asked,” Caitlin said, matching his smile.

“Fear not, new mommy. I’ll take plenty of notes that will be at your disposal. Those plus the handout from Carolyn ought to cover it for you.”

“Thank you, sir,” Caitlin said, then redirected her attention to Carolyn.

Good grief, Caitlin thought, Matt MacAllister was so ruggedly handsome it was sinful. That auburn hair of his was a rich, yummy color like, well, like an Irish setter. And those brown eyes of his. Gracious, they were like fathomless pools of…of fudge sauce and… Oh, for Pete’s sake, this was silly. Matt reminded her of a dog with eyes the color of an ice-cream topping? That was a rather bizarre description.

But there was no getting around the fact that Matt would turn women’s heads whenever he entered the room. He was tall and well built with wide shoulders and long, muscular legs. He moved with an easy grace, like an athlete, a man who was comfortable in his own body.

He was charming, intelligent, had a way of listening that made a person feel very special and important. And when he looked directly into her eyes there was no ignoring that she felt a funny little flutter slither down her spine. Yes, masculinity personified was the drop-dead gorgeous Mr. MacAllister.

He was also one of the multitudes who was focused on his career to the exclusion of everything else in his life. No one was perfect and that was Matt’s flaw, his glaring glitch. And she had no intention of allowing all his other attributes to make her forget it, not for one little second.

“Okay, first up,” Carolyn said. “We ask that you don’t wear jeans while in China. I know that must sound picky, but we’re going into a country with a different culture than ours and we want to exhibit the respect due our hosts.”

“But we can wear slacks?” Marsha asked.

“Yes,” Carolyn said. “In any material other than denim.”

“I’m writing this down,” Matt said.

“Go for it.” Caitlin laughed softly.

“You’ll be spending one night in Hong Kong,” Carolyn went on, “which we have found helps the jet-lag problem at least a little bit. The flight to Hong Kong is fifteen hours nonstop, so it’s imperative that you get up, walk around the airplane and drink lots of water during the flight.

“After the night in Hong Kong you’ll fly into Nanjing, China, and you’ll be staying at a lovely hotel there. Cribs will be placed in each of your rooms for the babies.”

“Oh-h-h,” a woman named Jane said, “a crib.”

Her husband Bill chuckled. “This is going to be a long, weepy trip, no doubt about it.”

“Well, we’ve waited a long time to need a baby crib, honey,” Jane said, sniffling.

“I know, sweetheart,” he said, then kissed her on the forehead.

And they’re sharing it all, together, every precious moment of it, Caitlin thought. No, no, she wasn’t going to go there, wouldn’t dwell on the fact that she was the only single mother making this journey. She’d thought and prayed for many months before making the decision to adopt a baby and it was right for her, just as it stood. This was the way she wanted it. This was the way it was going to be.

“Feel free to get all dewy-eyed about the crib in the room,” Matt whispered to Caitlin. “Everyone else seems to be.”

“I’m holding myself back. I’m saving up for when my daughter is in that crib.”

“Good idea.”

“On page two of your packet,” Carolyn said, “is a list of suggested things to take for your baby. You will each be allowed one…I repeat…one suit-case. The laundry service in the hotels you’ll be staying in is excellent, but you’ll get tired of wearing the same clothes over and over. You’re packing for your baby with your things tucked around the edges of that one suitcase.”

“This I’ve got to see,” a man named Fred said, laughing. “Sally takes at least five suitcases for a weekend in San Francisco. One suitcase for a two-week stay in China? And the majority of the space is for our daughter? This is going to be a hoot.”

“Hush, Fred,” Sally said. “I’ll manage just fine, you’ll see.”

“Yeah, right,” Fred said, shaking his head and grinning.

Lots of diapers, Matt wrote on the paper in front of him.

“There are instructions on your sheets,” Carolyn said, “about formula and how you’ll need to cut it down with water because the babies aren’t used to having such rich, nourishing food on a regular basis. You’re going to be easing them into it slowly so they don’t get tummyaches.

“As far as your tummies, you will be consuming some of the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten.”

“Do they have forks in China?” Matt asked, causing Bud to hoot with laughter.

“Yes, they have forks, Matt,” Carolyn said. “They’re used to fumble-fingered Westerners where you’ll be staying and will provide you with utensils you’re accustomed to.”

“That’s very comforting,” Matt said.

“Oh, before I forget,” Carolyn added. “The salt and pepper shakers are reversed from ours. Pepper has the big holes, salt the small ones. Write that down so that you don’t ruin the fantastic food I’m raving about.”

“Write that down,” Caitlin said, tapping the paper in front of Matt.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I’m on it, ma’am.”

“You’ll be in Nanjing about a week,” Carolyn said, “then you’ll fly into Guangzhou, where our American consulate is located and the visas are issued for the babies. The adoptions will be final before you leave China and you won’t have to readopt through our courts here when you get back.”

A buzz of conversation began around the table at that exciting news.

“This is all very interesting,” Matt said, nodding. “Fascinating. Just think, Caitlin, Madison or MacKenzie, whoever she turns out to be, will be your legal daughter when you two step onto U.S. of A. soil again. That’s pretty awesome, don’t you… Uh-oh, the crib didn’t get to you, but this one did.”

“Ignore me,” Caitlin said, flapping a hand in front of her tear-filled eyes. “It’s just the thought of leaving here as…as me, and returning as a mother with a daughter and…oh dear.”

Matt put one arm around Caitlin’s shoulders.

“Tissue alert,” he yelled. “We need a tissue here. Marsha, didn’t I see you go get a box?”

“Here it is,” someone said, shoving it across the table. “The container was full when Marsha brought it out here and it’s half-empty already. We’re all a mess.”

“You’re all delightfully normal,” Carolyn said, smiling. “Be certain you have tissues with you for that moment when you see and hold those babies for the first time.”

“Oh-h-h,” a woman wailed, and the tissue box went back in the direction it had come from.

“Okay now?” Matt said, his arm still encircling Caitlin’s shoulders.

She was so delicate, he thought, and warm and feminine. He’d like to pull her close, nestle her against his chest, sift his fingers through those silky black curls, then tip her chin up, lower his lips to hers and…

“I’m fine.” Caitlin straightened her shoulders with the hope that Matt would get the hint that he should remove his arm. Now. Right now. Because it was such a strong arm, yet he was holding her so gently, so protectively. And it was such a warm arm, the heat seeming to suffuse her was now thrumming deep and low within her and… This would never do. No. Matt had to move that arm. “You can have your arm back.”

“What?” Matt said. “Oh. Sure.” He slowly eased his arm away from Caitlin’s shoulders.

“In Guangzhou,” Carolyn said, snapping everyone back to attention, “you’ll be at the White Swan Hotel, which is a five-star establishment and the one where visiting dignitaries stay. It is incredibly beautiful. I’m not going to give you any more hints about it because I want you to be surprised when you get there.”

Carolyn went on for another half hour with various information, answered questions, said she would be available up until the time they left if more thoughts came to them, then promised to call each of them as soon as the departure date was set.

“It will be soon,” she said. “Dr. Yang, our liaison in China, said your daughters are eager for you to arrive and take them home.” She laughed. “Oops. Where did that tissue box go?”

Excitement was buzzing through the air as everyone continued to chatter, then a few said it was time to go as tomorrow was a workday.

“We’ve got to get a crib, Bud,” Marsha said, “and a changing table and… Goodness, we have a lot to do before we leave.”

“Plus I have to warn the two doctors who are going to cover my practice that they are on red-alert standby as of now,” Bud said. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? After all these months of paperwork, then waiting, then more paperwork, then waiting, and waiting and waiting, we’re going to be dashing around like crazy at the last second. I just may sleep during that entire fifteen-hour flight.”

“Color me dumb,” Matt said, “but why aren’t you more prepared as far as equipment goes? I mean, you don’t even have a crib set up yet.”

“Well, you see, Matt,” Marsha said, “when you fill out the papers, you give the officials in Beijing an age range of a child you’d be willing to adopt. In our case we said newborn to three years old. We didn’t know until tonight that Grace is eleven months and will need a crib.”

“Oh, I see,” Matt said. “That makes sense now.” He looked at Caitlin. “What about you, Caitlin? Are you prepared for Mackenzie or Madison?”

“No. I painted her room pale yellow and hung yellow curtains with a bunch of bunnies as the border print. I got a white dresser and matching rocking chair and bookcase for toys, but I don’t have a crib. I also put newborn to three years on that form, so I didn’t know if I’d need a crib or a toddler bed. I’m thrilled to pieces that Miss M. is so young. Six months and four days.”

“We’re ecstatic that Grace is only eleven months old, too,” Marsha said. “We’ll get to winesst so many things that she does for the first time.”

“Yeah,” Bud said, laughing, “like leading us on a merry chase when she takes off at a run after mastering the walking bit.”

“Tomorrow evening we go shopping for a crib and changing table,” Marsha said firmly. “Then come home and I’ll watch you put them together, Bud.”

“That’s usually how those things go,” he said.

“How about you, Caitlin?” Matt asked. “Could you use some help assembling your stuff?”

“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that, Matt. You’ve already gotten roped into hauling my luggage around once my arms are full of baby.”

“Believe me, I don’t mind giving you a hand. Thanks to Bud, who used to be my friend, I have all my evenings free. I’m accustomed to putting in those hours at the hospital. You’d be doing me a favor by getting me out of the house, because I’ve forgotten how to turn on my television set.”

“Well,” Caitlin said slowly.

“It’s perfect, Caitlin,” Marsha said. “I’d suggest that the four of us go shopping together, but we never know what time Bud will get home. You two just go ahead and make your own plans. Oh, jeez, I’m supposed to be doing my hostess duties and seeing everyone to the door.” She got to her feet. “Wait, wait, Sally and Fred. Give me a chance to be polite. Bud, get off your tush and come with me to execute socially acceptable behavior.”

“Whatever,” Bud said, rising.

“Listen, try this idea,” Matt said to Caitlin as Bud followed Marsha to the front door. “We go out for pizza, shop for baby stuff, then go to your place and I’ll put everything together. Does that work for you?”

Caitlin frowned. “I don’t think the big cartons that equipment comes in will fit in my car.”

“I have an SUV and the back seats fold down. Problem solved.”

“I don’t have any tools.”

“I’ll bring mine. Shall I pick you up at your place about six tomorrow night?”

“I…yes, all right. I appreciate this very much, Matt. I mean, you don’t even know me and here you are willing to perform manual labor to help me complete the nursery. It’s very generous of you.”

Matt picked up one of the pictures of Caitlin’s daughter.

“This little lady deserves to have everything ready and waiting for her when she comes home. Man, she’s cute. If she can grab hold of a person’s heart when she’s looking like a grumpy little old man, imagine what will happen the first time she smiles. Hey, Miss M., do you have any teeth in there to show off? How long are you going to make your mommy wait for that first smile, munchkin?”

“Her first smile,” Caitlin said wistfully, then shook her head. “Don’t get me started again. I think the tissue box is empty.” She got to her feet. “I’ll give you my address and I’ll see you tomorrow night at six. Thank you again, Matt.”

Matt stood. “I’m looking forward to it…very much, Caitlin.”

After Matt had gotten Caitlin’s address, he watched as she collected the dish she’d brought her contribution to the potluck in, hugged Carolyn, tucked the precious pictures of the baby in her purse, then bid Marsha and Bud good-night at the door. Carolyn said her goodbyes, then Matt wandered toward the front door himself.

“Need any help cleaning up?” he asked Marsha and Bud.

“No, we’re fine,” Bud said. “It’s nice of you to give Caitlin a hand with the baby furniture, Matt.”

Matt shrugged. “No biggie.”

“Taking her out for pizza before you go shopping is a nice touch,” Marsha said, beaming. “You’re such a thoughtful guy, Matt MacAllister.”

“No,” he said, frowning. “I just happen to like pizza and haven’t had any in a while.”

“Mmm,” Marsha said, batting her eyelashes at him.

“Don’t start with me, Marsha. There is no room for matchmaking in the middle of a baby boom, which is what this trip will be, so just forget it. Bud, control your wife.”

“Fat chance of that, chum,” Bud said, laughing. “Wow. It just hit me. I’m going to have a wife and a daughter. Talk about being ganged up on by females in my own home.”

“It makes my heart go pitter-patter,” Marsha said. “Women rule.”

“I’m outta here,” Matt said, chuckling. “Thanks for a great evening. I really enjoyed it. Ah, life is full of challenges. Good night, new mommy and daddy.”

“Oh-h-h, listen to that,” Marsha said. “I’m going to go find a fresh box of tissues.”

Caitlin propped the two pictures of the baby against the lamp on the nightstand, then wiggled into a comfortable position in the bed where she could gaze at the photographs.

“Hello, my daughter,” she said, unable to curb her smile. “Are you Mackenzie, or are you Madison, Miss M.? I just don’t know yet, but I will when I see you, hold you, for the first time. Will you smile then? Or make me wait for that special moment?”

She kissed the tip of one finger, then gently touched each picture.

“I wish you knew that I’ll be there very soon to get you. Maybe an angel will whisper in your ear that your mommy is coming. You won’t have a daddy, sweetheart, but we’ll be fine, just the two of us, you’ll see.”

Caitlin turned off the light, sighed in contentment and drifted off to sleep within minutes.

Hours later Matt was still awake, staring up at the ceiling. No matter how many lectures he gave himself to knock it off, he fumed, his mind kept replaying the entire evening at Marsha and Bud’s over and over. He saw the beautiful expression of pure love on Caitlin’s face when she’d looked at her daughter’s photographs, and remembered the tears that had glistened in both Marsha and Bud’s eyes as they’d gazed at the picture of Grace.

What an unbelievable night it had been for the people in that room. Dreams were coming true for those who had waited so long to have them fulfilled. Incredible.

Matt sighed and slid both hands beneath his head. He had been included in everything that had happened this evening but…not quite. Circumstances dictated that he stand on the edge of the circle of sunshine those match pictures had created, congratulate the new parents, wish them well.

But none of those photographs declared him to be a daddy because that wasn’t his dream, his heartfelt desire, and he hadn’t completed the tons of paperwork and waited the seemingly endless months as the others had.

He was grateful to have witnessed such happiness, such joy, was very honored to know he was to be Grace’s godfather, was pleased he would be helping Caitlin, the lovely Caitlin, put the finishing touches on the nursery that would be waiting for Mackenzie or Madison when she arrived in her new home.

But… yeah, so okay, he was willing to admit that there had been flickers of chilling emptiness that had consumed him earlier. He’d been so aware of his… his aloneness, of the narrow focus of his life, had been forced to wonder if perhaps, just maybe, he was not only alone but might also be lonely.

“Ah, hell, come on, MacAllister, knock it off,” he said, pulling his hands from beneath his head and dragging them down his face. “That’s nuts.”

The structure of his existence was of his making, his choice. He was centered on a challenging and rewarding career at Mercy Hospital that gave him a great deal of satisfaction. Granted, it was a tad rough on his physical well-being, but he’d get a handle on that, take control of that aspect of it.

Sure, he wanted a family someday, a wife, kids, a home bursting at the seams with love and laughter. He’d take part in the whole program…change diapers, teach each munchkin in turn to ride a bike, mow the lawn, take out the trash, help with home-workand housework and read stories to sleepy bundles tucked safely on his lap. Yeah, he wanted all of that, plus a wife he’d love beyond measure and who would love him in kind.

Someday…but not now.

Hell, he was only thirty-two years old. He had plenty of time to join the rank and file of the MacAllisters who toted diaper bags to family gatherings. Plenty of time.

What had happened tonight at the Mathises’ house was perfectly understandable. He’d been caught up in the emotions of the people there. He’d felt a momentary sense of aloneness and…okay…loneliness simply because he was odd man out in what had been a rather unusual situation.

There. He’d figured it all out. It had just taken a bit of logical thinking to get his head on straight again. He could now go on the trip to China, enjoy the entire thing, spend time with the very lovely Caitlin Cunningham, then return home and shortly afterward return to the hospital and the career that gave him everything he needed in his life now.

His reputation for being one of the best public-relations directors of a large hospital was rock solid across the country, and he had several awards framed and hanging on his office wall. The name Matt MacAllister meant something in his field and he would continue to maintain that level of expertise.

Matt rolled onto his stomach, closed his eyes, mentally patted himself on the back for his rather genius-level thinking that had solved the jumbled maze in his mind, then drifted off to sleep.

But through the night he dreamed of Caitlin. He was standing next to her in a room where they were surrounded by babies, each holding up little arms toward them, wanting to be held, comforted, loved. Wanting to be taken home.

Chapter Three

The next day was another long stretch of hours at the hospital as Matt once again dealt with Homer Holmes, the note-taking attorney. Matt finally glanced at his watch and inwardly cheered.

“Time to wrap it up, Homer,” Matt said. “I have an important appointment to keep. In fact, we’ve covered everything that is pending. Starting tomorrow you’re on your own.”

“Listen, Matt,” Homer said. “I’ve been admiring that miniature antique scale you have on the corner of your desk.”

“The scale?” Matt said. “My grandfather gave that to me months ago. The workmanship is exquisite,don’t you think? The chains holding the two small trays have the exact number of links, you can see the intricate scrollwork on the base…even the two gold coins in that one tray are antiques. It was a very special gift from a remarkable man, and I treasure it.”