Thank you all!

Chapter 3

"Well, this is a lovely surprise," Cora greeted as Mary and Anna walked into their home. She kissed both women on their cheeks before turning and calling out, "Robert! Mary and Anna are here!"

"Hello Mama," Mary said. "I hope us coming by this afternoon is all right."

"Of course it is! I didn't think we would see you until tomorrow night when everyone comes over."

"Well, we wanted to speak with just you and Papa," Mary told her. "Family dinners are all well and good, but this is a matter we'd like to keep private for now."

"What needs to be private?" Robert asked coming down the stairs. He smiled at both Anna and Mary.

"Oh, I do hope you're both all right," Cora said.

"We are. Can we sit down?"
"Sure."

They walked into the study and all took a seat. Mary reached over, taking Anna's hand within her own. While she was thrilled about telling her parents about their new journey to parenthood, she also found she was nervous about how they may react. Both of her parents adored Anna, but she knew her father had struggled to adjust to his eldest daughter not marrying a man for a little while. However, he'd come around rather quickly to it and loved Anna as his own.

"Anna and I have decided we're ready to have a baby."

"Oh, how exciting!" Cora clapped, bringing her hands up to her face. "How wonderful!"

"Yes, how wonderful," Robert repeated, though his words weren't as excited as her mama's. He eyed them both. "But how, um…." He tapped his finger on the side of the chair. "How?"

"We'll use a donor and Anna's egg to have a baby."

Robert tightened his lips.

"So you'll use IVF?" Cora asked. "How exciting! Another grandchild!"

"Actually," Anna cut in, "not IVF. We're going to try ICI first, also known as Intracervical Insemination."

"I've never heard of that. Have you, Robert?"

"No, no, I haven't. Why Anna's egg? Why not yours, Mary?"

"We decided early on in our relationship when we were ready to have children, Anna would be the one to carry them. With ICI, we can do the insemination at home. It's less invasive and can be private between the two of us."

Cora pulled out her phone and began typing on it. She read a few lines and giggled.

"Oh how fascinating! Robert! It's almost like a turkey baster! Come and read this! It is fascinating!"

"I'd rather not," Robert said, standing up and shaking his head. "I prefer not to know what goes on in any of our daughters' bedrooms, thank you."

"Papa, you don't seem thrilled or even a little excited for us," Mary stated. She looked up at her father who turned his attention back to her and Anna.

"No, of course I am," he said. He gave them both a smile. "This is all just new to me. I'm trying to understand how it all works." Cora tried handing him the phone again. "Not like that Cora." He waved his hand toward the phone for her to put it up. "I guess I'm just now realizing any baby you have won't be both of yours."

"Of course it will be," Mary quickly defended.

"No, I'm not saying it right. Of course the baby will be yours Mary and you'll love him or her. I meant biologically. I know that makes me sound old fashioned."

"It does," Mary said, rolling her eyes. "This baby will be mine and Anna's in every way imaginable."

"I guess I just worry what will happen if you and Anna were to break up. Would you lie any claim on this child?"

All three women stared at Robert.

"Oh Robert," Cora said, shaking her head.

"Mary will legally be the mother, as well," Anna told him.

"And Anna and I are never breaking up. These are all things we've already spoken to a lawyer about, anyway. We want to make sure our child has all legal protections."

"Good, good." Robert sat back down. "You'll have to forgive me. I really am excited. Another grandchild will be wonderful."

"I assume you'll be using an anonymous donor. Have you picked one yet?"
Anna and Mary glanced at one another before Mary looked back at her parents.

"Actually, we've chosen someone we know as a donor."

"Oh? Who?"

"Bates."

"Mr. Bates?" Cora asked, shocked.

"Bates? My dear friend, Bates?"

"Yes," Mary said. "Anna and I wanted our child to know their donor. We asked Bates. He said yes."

"Well, that's exciting," Cora said, her voice rose at the end as though it was a question.

"But he won't be the father?" Robert clarified as though he was trying to figure out the puzzle pieces.

"Correct," Anna answered. "He'll be the donor, but he won't be the baby's father. Mary and I will be the parents. However, we've told John we would like him to be a part of the baby's life in a sort of uncle capacity. It's important to us our child knows all about where they came from and who they are."

"Ah, all right."

"Now, this could take months. And Anna and I would rather you not tell anyone else about our plans. We want to wait until we're expecting, and we know everything is all right."

"Right," Robert said. "We won't tell anyone, will we, Cora?"

"Not a soul. Can you both stay for dinner? I'd really like to ask you some more questions about the ICI. It really is fascinating."

After dinner, they headed back home. Anna rested her head back on the headrest and played with the edge of the hem of Mary's shirt, as Mary drove them home.

"It went well," Anna said.

"It did."

"John said he will be going into the fertility clinic tomorrow morning which will line up perfectly and we can try this month."

"And you're absolutely sure you're ready?" Mary asked. She pulled into their driveway before turning to look at Anna. "I don't want to rush you."

"I'm ready," Anna assured her. "So ready."

Mary smiled.

"Me too." Mary leaned forward, pressing her lips against Anna's. "I cannot wait."

"Me either."

The first two months came back with negative results. Mary tried to remain calm, because she didn't want Anna to stress about any of it. They had been told it could take several months. Mary entered their home, surprised that Carson didn't greet her at the door and the lights were all off.

She made her way upstairs.

"Anna?" She called out. "Darling?"

No one called back. She furrowed her brows, continuing until she entered her bedroom. That's where she found Anna sitting on the edge of the bed, crying. Mary rushed to her side and sat down, placing her arm around Anna to pull her close.

"Darling? What's happened?"

"I've let you down," Anna cried. She placed her head on Mary's shoulder, her body shaking with every sob.

"What? Darling? I don't understand."

"I can't get pregnant."

"Anna, what are you talking about? It's only been three months. Did you take a test today? I'm confused."

"No." Anna shook her head. She sat up, grabbing a tissue from the box beside her and wiping under her nose. "I haven't taken one, yet. I started cramping a little while ago, so my period must be starting. I'm not pregnant."

Mary tucked Anna's hair behind her ear and forced her to look at her.

"Darling, the doctor told us it could take a little while. What did she say? We needed to try at least 6 months before looking into IVF or another method? And if you need a break, we can take a break. You could never let me down, darling, never."

Anna sniffled. She wiped beneath her eyes and fell back against Mary.

"I don't need a break. I don't know what hit me. Today I was hoping for a positive test soon and the cramping started. It just upset me more than I expected."

"Is that why Carson isn't here?"

"Yes, sorry. I asked him to go home."

"No need to apologize. Why don't we go out to dinner tonight? Turn today around?"

"All right."

Anna did feel better being out with her wife. It felt good to take her mind off baby making for just a night. While she still desperately wanted a baby, she needed the reminder that it wouldn't happen overnight.

"Any dessert?"

"Oh, sure," Mary said, beaming. "Anna, what would you like?"

Anna glanced at the menu.

"I think tonight I'd like to try the cheesecake."

"Oh, I'm sorry, but we just sold the last slice."

"Oh," Anna whispered. She felt a wave of sadness consume her and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Anna?" Mary asked. She shook her head and glanced up at the waiter. "Two chocolate cake slices please." The waiter walked away. "Anna, are you crying?"
"I really wanted cheesecake," she said.

"You're crying over a cheesecake? You don't even like cheesecake." Mary rose her brow.

"I saw it on the table over there and it looked really good."

"But you're crying over cheesecake," Mary repeated.

"Because I wanted cheesecake!"

"I'll have Ms. Patmore make you a cheesecake, if you really want cheesecake, Anna. It's not that serious."

"It is that serious, Mary! I don't want Ms. Patmore's cheesecake; I wanted the one here!" Anna knew deep down she was being ridiculous, but she couldn't control her emotions. More tears slipped down her eyes.

"Oh my god," Mary murmured, her eyes growing wide. "Anna – you're pregnant."

"What? No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. We're going straight home and you're taking a pregnancy test."

"Mary, its a few days early for that."

"Doesn't matter. We're leaving now."

When the timer dinged, Mary walked up behind Anna as she lifted the pregnancy test up. She placed her arms around Anna's middle and glanced over her shoulder to see the results. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Pregnant," Anna said, her voice catching in her throat.

"Oh Anna, darling!"

"Pregnant!" Anna turned around and the two of them joyfully hugged before kissing one another.

"It's really happening, Anna. We're having a baby!"

To be continued...

I know that happened fast, but this story is mainly lighthearted and about their journey of becoming parents. There will be some angst, but I can promise all in all it will be a happy story. Thank you for reading!