So positive reactions to doing the clients and some others woo! I'll start with Karen, Hannie, and Nancy because they were the protagonists of the little sister series. Karen is by far the most controversial and thought that I could do something with her that would make her more sympathetic. From there I'll dive into three of the Pikes, some of the Barretts, Charlotte, Jenny, Jamie, etc. If you want to see someone in particular drop it in a review or PM me!
Caution though, this chapter is rated T ish? I don't know what to call this, but I thought to put a warning just in case?
Karen sat fidgeting in her seat her hands playing her long blond hair. Her leg wiggling up and down and her eyes glued on the brown door. Next to her Jackie put a hand on her bouncing leg stopping it. Despite her nerves she shot him a don't mess with me look. Jackie put his hands up and pulled his shirt down some.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous," she said kissing his cheek.
"I'm nervous too," said Jackie squeezing her hand.
Her blue eyes glanced up at the doctor's door again. The waiting room quiet despite hearing downtown Manhattan beneath them. The doctor in the other room was finishing up with the patient before them. Karen drew in a deep breath and shook her head. She knew the options but just wanted to try.
Kristy's number popped up on her phone saying that picnic would be this afternoon. Sighing she texted back that she'd see her next week.
"Shea and Becca are going to be in New York next week," said Jackie. "They're visiting Jessi on set."
"That'll be fun, I'd love to see how her show works behind the scenes and stuff."
She played with the hem of her pencil skirt unable to think straight and glanced around the room. It was pretty nice with comfy leather couches and chairs, soft rugs, and a (sorta) view of central park. A painting of a sunset on the wall above her head.
"This is my fault, I'm the reason why we can't have a baby," she said practically shouting it out.
"No, Karen it's probably mine. You know how accident prone I've been in the past."
Before she could protest in return the doctor stepped out into the room. The couple before them looked relieved and headed straight for the door. The woman talked to the receptionist for a minute and then brightly looked in their direction.
"Karen and Jack Rodowsky?" she said promptly. "My name is Allison Shapiro, it's great to meet you. Come on back."
She jumped up nearly knocking him back against the chair he was sitting on. Her blond curls bounced along with her. Jackie sat up and followed them nearly tripping against said chair. Finally, they found themselves sitting in front of a desk with a computer staring back at them. The test answers were going to be on that. Last week they had done the test and now, well, now she'd know.
Allison took a seat and pulled up their results.
"Now it says here both of you did the testing. Jackie you have a low sperm count, which can be easily fixed. Karen is does look like we are unable to identify why you're unable to conceive," she said gently.
In her spot Karen Brewer froze. They didn't have a reason. She knew that about 20 percent of women wouldn't know why. She didn't think that she would be one of them. Jackie wrapped his arm around her in a hug. Her eyes closed briefly behind tortoise framed glasses. Not that she didn't want to adopt or foster or anything. Heck she had an adopted sister and her stepsister adopted three out of the foster system.
"We have options here, but it looks like you know most of them," said Allison gesturing to the brochure in Karen's hand.
Someone could carry, she thought, knowing that they could have their own that way. Kristy and Emily sprung to mind first thing. Not only that but they were on the list for adoptions in New York and in Stoneybrook.
They had the conversation for a little bit longer until their time was up. At the end of the meeting Karen felt a little bit lightheaded. She swallowed and thanked the doctor as they headed out into the Manhattan streets.
"That was hard to hear," said Jackie as a bicycler drove past them.
"Jackie…" she said her voice small. "Let's just eat can we talk over dinner?"
"Tribeca Grill Restaurant? They have that Queso Fundido you love so much for an appetizer. Plus, the steak," he said.
That did brighten her up as Karen hailed a taxicab for them. For the first time today, she got a chance to look down at her emails and messages. Besides the one from Kristy, she had one from her mom and one from a co-worker. There were two missed calls while she was in the office and only one left a voice mail. Typical. She opened her regular e-mail also for the first time today. She had cleaned out her work e-mail while there. Good thing too because it would pile up by tomorrow being in charge of an entire department.
Jackie had checked his phone too and listened to a voicemail message.
He had nudged her as she just continued to scroll. Then he nudged her again. Finally, she turned to him as they were speeding down to the restaurant. Karen pursed her lips together and then turned to him. Before the redhead said anything, he pressed his phone against her ear. Okay that was gross she though and then listened to the message. Then listened to it again.
They have been moved up; they were next in line on the list to adopt.
"That makes me feel a lot better," said Karen after a minute. "That we'd be next and give a special baby a home."
"Not only that but I'm sure that Emily or Kristy is sure to help us out," he said. "We can give a baby a special home. Then we can have one of our own."
"I think I knew," she said honestly. "But I just wanted it confirmed. Jackie how are you taking the news?"
"I guess the same," he said. Jackie was a doctor, in orthopedics mind you, but he could tell when something was wrong. "A year of negatives tests had to be sign. We'll have a family of our own though. To think right now someone out there is having a baby that…"
"We'll take home soon. Hey Jackie, what do you say to get a horse drawn carriage and a tour of central park? It's been awhile since we had a date night. We can make tonight it."
With that they raced off into the restaurant to order. They had beat the crowd by having dinner reserved. Well one that Jackie had done yesterday without her knowing, which he remembered to have done. The reminder on his phone going off. The Queso Fundido hot and ready for them and the meal to die for.
Karen looked around and smiled. She couldn't wait to share her husband, life in Manhattan, and her world with their kids one day. Which might be sooner then she though.
