The Sheikh's Quadruplet Baby Surprise (The Sheikh's Baby Surprise 4)

“Madeline,” he said softly. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were special, but I had no idea how intelligent, how kind, how wonderful you would be. Creating this family with you has been the greatest gift a man could ever ask for, and I am asking you now to do me the greatest honor. Will you consider becoming my wife?”

Maddy stared at Akim, her eyes darting from his face, to the ring, then back again. She was prepared to give him her answer when she felt a very foreign, warm and wet sensation beneath her. Glancing around, she realized quickly what was happening.

“Akim. I’m going into labor!”

“What?” he asked. He shut the ring box and pocketed it quickly, instantly at her side. “Are you certain?”

Maddy forced herself to stay calm as she looked up at him. “Yes, my love. It’s time.”

“I’ll get the bag.”

They rushed to the hospital, which was only a few minutes away, and Akim held Maddy’s hand as the doctors performed a C-section to safely deliver the babies. As each one came out, they heard a tiny, healthy cry, and Maddy knew in that moment that she was a mother, four times over.

“Would you like to do skin-to-skin contact?” a nurse asked.

Maddy stared up at Akim. “I can’t fit all four on me, can I?”

Akim pulled his shirt off. “I can help. Just tell me what to do,” he said, looking expectantly at the nurse.

Each of them were handed two babies, and they stared in wonder at their new children. In mere minutes, they’d gone from an idea to a beautiful, perfect reality.

“Akim, they’re gorgeous,” Maddy breathed, staring at the two tiny newborns in her arms.

They had two sons and two daughters, when once Maddy believed she could have none. She had gone from being alone to being a mother of four in a family of six. It felt like magic, like she was living her very own fairy tale.

A short while after the delivery was over, Maddy was moved into a recovery room, and the babies were placed in small cribs next to their parents. Akim gently laid down next to Maddy, and they stared together at their children.

“You did wonderfully,” Akim said, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

“So did you,” Maddy replied with a tired smile.

“You managed to get these little folks into the world on the first try. I can only hope all the other couples who use Chlomerol have the same luck.”

“Me, too,” she whispered.

One of the babies fussed, and Akim stood, caressing his tiny head. The little one calmed down instantly at his father’s touch, so Akim returned to Maddy’s side.

“You know,” he began, casting her a sideways glance, “You never answered my question.”

“What question was that?” she asked hazily. Childbirth had taken all of her effort and brainpower. She imagined that what was known as ‘mommy brain’ would now permanently affect her, too. The thought of it broadened her smile.

Akim pulled out the little black box again, opening it to reveal the ring.

“This one,” he said.

Maddy took the box in her fingers and turned it in her hand. The ring was so beautiful. She looked up at Akim, and kissed him.

“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you, silly,” she said.

Akim kissed her deeply, then, though he pulled back shortly after. He was scared of hurting her after the surgery, and Maddy found his gentleness endearing. He had promised her once that he would take care of her and the children forever. She had had her doubts; she had struggled with trust, after the way he had acted in the past, but she no longer had a single doubt.

Taking the ring back from her, Akim removed it from the box and slid it onto her finger.

The End