Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“No, I understand.” I murmur into the phone. “Thanks for listening at least.”

I wearily hang up the line, burying my head in my hands. I spent all morning calling in every favor and loan I possibly could, throwing my dignity right out the window to beg my friends and acquaintances in my time of need.

I’ve never thought of myself as a proud woman, but begging this way was more of a challenge than I could have imagined.

I only wish I could help Cora as well as myself. She’s still waiting to hear if she’ll be fired, and while she’s not supposed to be handling any samples, she got permission to do my tests this afternoon. After all, I’ve already been inseminated, so her supervisor didn’t see any risk of further negligence.

Still, I’m far from excited when I walk through the front doors of the sperm bank. Ten days ago I was heartsore but optimistic for the future, yearning for a baby more than anything else in the world. Now I’m dreading the exam.

However my trepidation soon gives way to surprise, because as soon as I enter the facility I have the strangest feeling that Dominic Sinclair is near. It takes me a while to actually find him, behind closed doors with Cora’s bosses in a luxurious, glass-walled conference room, but I don’t have the faintest idea how I knew he was present. I also don’t understand why I feel drawn to him: after all, he’s ruined both my sister’s and my own life. I shouldn’t be excited to see him.

It was dumb luck that I stumbled across his path, the conference room is on the way to Cora’s office, but I find myself stopping to observe the meeting inside. I’m struck speechless when I lay eyes on him. Is it possible that he’s gotten more attractive since the last time I saw him? It was already unfair that somebody that powerful and intelligent could be so handsome, but now it truly just feels like being kicked while I’m down. The bastard has a heart of stone, and still the universe has rained endless gifts upon him while people like Cora and I have nothing.

Shaking myself out of my trance, I continue down the hall, though I feel the weight of dark eyes on my back as I retreat. Cora has clearly been crying when I arrive. Her eyes are red and her cheeks splotchy, though she tries to hide it.

“Hey.” I greet her gently, wrapping her up in a hug. She leans into me, squeezing tight and lingering far longer than she usually would. “Is there any news?”

“Sinclair is in there finalizing it all now. I’m going to be given formal termination notice this afternoon.” She shares, sniffling slightly.

I croon, rubbing her

She lies, pulling away. “How

confess. “I’m sort of dreading this, to be

amazing how fast things can change, huh?” She asks, looking as though she might burst into tears. “I mean,

promise. “We’ve been in tight spots before.” I remind her, “remember the summer we slept in boxes on the street

She nods with a sad smile. “But it’s winter now, I don’t think we’ll last long in the elements. And you

can’t look her in the eyes as I say this, “I don’t think

exclaims, looking horrified. “But this is your only chance! And we aren’t completely hopeless,

news with Cora. “I can’t afford a baby even if I do find a job. I’m going to be paying off my

with suffering. After everything we’ve been through, we deserve a better future than

doctor.”

first trimester. It would be a tragedy if you

that seems kind of like it’s own form of torture – the longer I carry the baby the more attached I’m going to get. I don’t want this to hurt any worse

Cora reasons, “You ought to give yourself a chance – keep the door open. Don’t give up

find out if I have to make that decision in the first place.” I state, changing the subject. “I may not even be pregnant.” Yet even as I say it, I can feel in my

cup wrapped in plastic from one of her cabinets.

provide a urine sample, returning it to her almost immediately. I pace back and forth across the office as Cora runs

offers me a sad smile. “Congratulations little sister, you’re going to have a