The Gift
Chapter 3-1 month later
IVF was not as easy as either Mike or Andrea thought it would be. Hormone shots for her, and the uncomfortable donation process for him. Finally, Andrea had the procedure, and shockingly, Mike insisted on taking her to it and taking her home afterwards.
"I'm still a fan of the old-fashioned method." Mike remarked as Andrea got comfortable in the passenger seat.
"Me too. This isn't surefire. Just have a better chance then I would with the old-fashioned method. I had to try for Lily too, and it was exhausting." Andrea admitted.
"Christine always joked that all I had to do was look at her and she was pregnant. Not sure that was more me or her, though." Mike remarked.
"Probably a little of both. I'm really hoping it's a girl." Andrea said.
"I've had two girls so that might help." Mike answered.
"I just know more about girls. Having a boy on my own scares me." Andrea admitted.
"I would still be 'Uncle Mike' regardless." Mike assured her.
"I know and I appreciate that." Andrea told him.
"I guess I'm just scared to get close to anyone." Mike remarked.
"Mike; its understandable. I lost Bill and Lily and have an idea what you are going through. Not completely, though. You choose how to grieve for them, but you also have to choose how to honor them. Would they want you to never have joy again? Be happy or be loved? For me, its having another baby. I miss being a mother. Its not to replace Lily. Its another chance to love someone. I know its going to endanger my career, but a child will be there after my career is over." Andrea said.
"Aren't you scared you'll lose her? Assuming it's a girl." Mike asked.
"Terrified, but it's a fear I will live with. As I said, you can be as involved as you want to be. If you want to be Uncle Mike, fine. If you want to be something more, fine. If today was successful, you've given me a beautiful gift." Andrea answered.
Two Months Later
The treatments were successful, and Andrea was transferred to a land position with Mike's help. People knew she was expecting, knew it was accomplished with IVF using a donor, but had no idea that the donor was Mike. If they watched him in action; they would know, but he hid it well.
He had also switched to a land position, but it wasn't permanent. Andrea could only hope that he would be around for the baby's birth. Even he didn't know. He discreetly went with her to doctor's appointments, and ran errands for her so she could rest. As helpful and supportive as he was with her, she could only imagine what he had been like with Christine. She wondered what he would be like once the baby arrived.