Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“No, I don’t think that’s necessary. It’s none of anyone’s business.”
“Okay. So they’ll just think I’m a single mom or something?”
“I haven’t gotten that far, Abby.”
“Okay.”
“Any other questions?” he asked.
“When does this all start?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Am I ready for this? I felt a mix of fear and excitement—but more excitement. “Sig?”
“What?”
“Are you ready?”
“I told you, I’ll never feel fully ready.”
“Yeah, but something made you bite the bullet…”
After a brief pause, he said, “I found a gray hair.”
I smiled. “Is that the truth?”
“It helped me realize I don’t have forever to make this happen for them. They’re getting older, and frankly, so am I. Sometimes you have to wager your best guess on the decisions you make, even if it doesn’t feel a hundred-percent comfortable.”
“Fair enough.” Wow. This is really happening. “When should I plan to come out there?”
“There’s no immediate rush. You can let me know when to book your ticket.”
“Okay. Will do.” I looked out my window. “I’ll see you soon, I guess.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “I’ll let you go.”
“Goodnight.”
“Sweet dreams,” he said before hanging up.
“Sweet dreams.” That gave me butterflies.
Which was unsettling.
I was about to embark on the craziest journey of my life. But the butterflies were because I never thought I’d see him again. And now I would.
CHAPTER 10
* * *
Sig
Track 10: “Too Late to Turn Back Now” by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose
The past month had been a whirlwind from the moment I decided to move forward with the surrogacy. Balancing the usual stress of work with anxiety over this situation had been a challenge.
I’d given a sperm sample, which was then used to create embryos with Britney’s eggs. Abby had started taking medications to prepare for the transfer while she was still in the US. She’d arrived here a few days ago, and today we’d just completed the transfer of a single embryo. We’d have to wait two weeks before a blood test could determine whether that had resulted in a pregnancy.
There was something surreal about walking out of the doctor’s office in London with Abby after the procedure. I’d opted to sit in the waiting room while she was in there, and it had seemed to happen very quickly.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“Fine,” she assured me. “I don’t feel any different or anything.”
“Was it painful?”
“Not at all. Just a little bit of pressure. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Good.” I nodded, feeling a knot in my stomach. “It seemed quick.”
“Yeah. You’d think something so monumental would involve more than opening your legs for a matter of minutes.” She smiled hesitantly. “Though I suppose that’s how the natural way works, too.”
I opted not to touch that one. “What do you need to do now?” I asked.
“I’m supposed to take it easy today, but the doctor said I don’t have to be on bed rest. Just no running marathons or anything too crazy.”
“Let’s get you back to the inn, then. I can make supper.”
She searched my eyes as we faced each other in the car park. “You’re stressed.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Lavinia told me you always cook when you’re stressed.”
“In this case, I’m cooking because you should rest. Not because I’m stressed.”
“We could get takeout.”
“Not necessary. I like to cook,” I said as I unlocked the car.
“Okay. Whatever you need.” She got into the passenger side. “I’m glad we’re doing this at the end of the week. That way I can relax this weekend and be ready for work on Monday. What time should I be ready?”
“I’ll send a car for you around seven AM,” I told her as I pulled into traffic. “I’ve already alerted our customer relations manager that you’ll be there for training. You should plan to come into the office every day for the first couple of weeks.”
“I won’t see you there?”
“Likely not.” I’d make sure of it, since seeing her at the office would be a distraction I didn’t need.
“Okay, well…I can’t wait to get started.”
After we got to the inn, I immediately left for the food shop. The breather felt good—an opportunity to live in denial for a bit. It was too late to turn back now, but I hadn’t fully accepted that yet. I still wanted to pretend none of this was happening. Abby was handling everything like a champion; the problem, as usual, was me.
When I returned with the groceries, Abby and Lavinia were watching a film.
“Exactly how many people are eating here tonight?” Abby asked when she saw the bags I’d brought in.
“I’m making some things and freezing them for you since I won’t be here the next few days.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said. “But thank you.”
I got to work in the kitchen, hoping they’d give me space. I wanted to get lost in the process. But that was difficult when Abby approached and leaned over to watch every move I made.