nun, let alone a hormonal pregnant woman!
A dry chuckle escapes him as he glances over his shoulder at Sway and Anthony. “Is she always this quiet?”
Sway hides her smile behind her hand before fanning herself when Dr. Bennett turns back to me, causing my face to burn even brighter.
“You okay?” Dr. Bennett strides closer, inspecting me with those flinty brown eyes. “You look a little––”
“I’m fine. And yup. They can come in. They’re the parents.”
Cocking his head to the side, he waits for me to continue instead of jumping to conclusions, proving that he’s thoughtful too.
I drop my gaze down to my hands and twist the fabric in my lap in hopes of being able to focus when the guy in front of me is way too distracting. “I, uh, I explained this over the phone when I made the appointment, but maybe you didn’t get the message. I’m a surrogate. An oven?” My laugh is awkward as hell as I point to Sway and Anthony, who are hovering near the doorway. “They’re the parents.”
“Oh. Yeah, of course. The receptionist mentioned it, but it had slipped my mind. I apologize––”
“Not a big deal. I know it’s a little bit of an unconventional situation….”
“Not at all. I mean, yes, you’re the first surrogate I’ve ever worked with, but I think it’s great. I’m sure you’re all very anxious to hear that little baby’s heartbeat, so let’s dive right in, shall we?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Alright, then. Marcy, will you lie back for me?” His giant left palm touches my shoulder as he guides me into a supine position. “Perfect. Could you raise the bottom of your gown so we can check your stomach? Keep the blanket over your lap, though. We don’t need to give anyone a show quite yet.” He winks, causing my anxiety to turn up another notch.
Why is he so damn good looking?
With a quick peek over at the intended parents, I slide my gown up to my ribs and smile softly when I’m reminded of why I’m really here.
Anthony’s hand is cupping Sway’s jaw as he rests his forehead against hers and closes his eyes to give me a little privacy. He did the same thing when they did the embryo transfer. So conscientious. So respectful. So supportive. They both are.
Despite the nerves, and the daily shots of hormones I had to take at the beginning of this adventure, it’s moments like this that remind me why I decided to do this.
Because of them.
What they’ve been through would tear some couples apart, but their trials have only brought them closer together. I’m so glad that I can––hopefully––give them the one thing they desperately want and desperately deserve.
In a way, I envy them. They love each other unconditionally. It doesn’t matter the obstacles thrown at them. They’ll handle each and every one of them.
Together.
And even though I might not ever have a love like that…at least I know that I was able to give one a little piece of me.
“I’m decent, you two,” I announce with a grin before catching Dr. Bennett staring down at me. Those same steely brown eyes bounce around my face as if he’s trying to piece something together, although I have no idea what it is. Sucking my lips into my mouth, I swallow my smile and let him continue his perusal while knowing exactly what he sees.
An average girl with a round face, a few freckles, and laugh lines around her green eyes. Nothing hideous by any means, but nothing out of the ordinary either.
I’m just…me.
“So, uh…”––he tears his gaze away from mine––“let’s get started. How have you been feeling?”
I clear my throat. “Fine so far. No morning sickness…yet.”
“It’ll probably hit soon. For most people, it shows up around six weeks and sticks around until twelve weeks or so. However, some people get by without feeling any morning sickness at all, so you could be one of the lucky ones. How’s your support at home?”
“I live by myself so…good?”
“No boyfriend or anything?”
Sway snorts before covering it with a cough. “Sorry, allergies.”
Jaw tightening, Dr. Bennett rubs his hands together and drops the subject. “I’m going to give you an external exam right now, then we’ll check for the heartbeat. The baby might still be a bit too small to hear it quite yet, so don’t stress if we don’t find one right away. After that, we’ll excuse the parents, and I’ll get a nurse in here so we can do the internal exam. Sound okay?”
Internal