IVF

Frank Buffay drew a sobbing Lily Buffay into his arms, stroking her hair tenderly.

"Honey, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry it didn't work… at least we now know we've both tried our best, and we can close the book on this chapter of our lives without any regret, and move on," Frank murmured into her ear.

Lily pulled away from Frank, staring up at him with wide bewildered eyes. "Close the chapter? Move on? What do you mean? Don't tell me you're giving up?"

Frank held Lily firmly by the shoulders, "Lily, this is the third round of IVF we've tried. Each round has cost us $15,000. We've blown our entire life savings trying to give you the baby you want."

Lily stared at Frank incredulously, "The baby you want? I thought this was what we both wanted; I thought you wanted this too!"

"Lily, I love you, just having you around is enough; I don't need a baby to feel complete. I've been fighting tooth and nail to give you what you want, to make you happy, but it's been three rounds, we've implanted 15 embryos in you over the past 6 years, we've rendered ourselves completely broke, and still, you're not pregnant. I know how badly you want this, but I can see now, that it isn't going to happen. You need to let go before we lose the house and end up on the street."

Lily's face blanched with shock. "I thought we were in this together; I thought you wanted this as much as I did..."

"I just wanted you to be happy, that is all I've ever wanted. Lily, you are enough to me. You are all I need. Tell me I'm enough to you, tell me we don't need a child to be complete," Frank pleaded.

Lily shook her head slightly, "I need more, Frank, I need to be a mother," she whispered.

"Well, I can't keep doing this. We've already mortgaged our house for IVF. If you're not pregnant after three rounds, you'll never be, and I cannot wait around while my entire life savings go down the drain for a fruitless exercise. I just… I can't do this anymore."

"What are you saying, Frank?"

"You have to choose. Me or IVF," Frank replied firmly.

"I need to be a mother, Frank," Lily said helplessly.

Frank closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. "So you're going to do another round of IVF?" he said through gritted teeth.

"Yes," Lily confirmed softly.

"There's nothing I can say to make you change your mind, is there?" Frank whispered.

Lily shook her head sadly. Blinking back tears, Frank grabbed a suitcase, filled it with his few worldly possessions, planted a tender goodbye kiss on Lily's forehead, and shut the door behind him. Lily remained rooted to the spot, stunned at this turn of events.

She had just traded in her husband for a baby that may never come.