Chapter 4
Three days later and they were making themselves comfortable in Dr. Mark Anderson's office.
He was the head of the Cryobank and the leading specialist in Invitro Fertilization. He had been fully briefed on the origins of their embryo and had promised discretion and silence on the matter.
Greg Madden's account had continued to pay the storage charges on their embryo and seemed poised to do so indefinitely.
There was no information in any of his impeccable records to explain why or what his plans were, nor had the clinic received any further information.
Jack was adamant that they sign the paperwork and leave as quickly as they arrived.
David understood that the embryo wasn't yet alive, but it was still their DNA, and destroying it was far more complicated than signing papers.
Erica wanted to go back to that night at her penthouse and lock the door rather than allow David in. Go back and stop all of this from happening.
Jack thought it was simple. Sign the paperwork and walk away. Destroy the embryo and move on.
Act like it wasn't her DNA, her would be child, they would be destroying.
"I know this a lot to process," Dr. Anderson's voice drug her from her thoughts, slamming her back to the reality they had no choice to deal with. "I understand that us destroying the embryo is the most obvious choice, but as the embryo is viable and strong, I have to legally advise you of all options."
"If we were to donate, would we have any legal right to see or be provided updates on the child?" David asked of Dr. Anderson, despite his eyes being on Erica.
He sighed and shook his head. "You would have no legal claim to the child."
"A third child we wouldn't be allowed to know," Erica added, her voice soft and faraway.
"There is a third option," Dr. Anderson reminded them. "Transfer of the embryo. We could transfer into you," He motioned to Erica, "or find a suitable donor."
They knew before arriving that this was an option. Neither wanted to destroy the embryo, and donating seemed unbearable.
Transferring the embryo, trying for a pregnancy, a live birth, a child, it was a wild, fanciful idea that was so incredibly complex , even though the thought was too much.
David glanced over at Erica, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. He knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling. He imagined his own eyes would reflect the same.
The thought was crazy. They couldn't transfer this embryo. They couldn't be parents. Not now. Not after everything they'd been through.
But destroying the embryo seemed unfathomable.
"We...it's too much," Erica blew out on a shaky breath, her eyes squeezed shut as she battled back unexpected tears.
It was only an embryo. A mass of cells and DNA. But it was their embryo. It was her embryo.
It was a fourth child she had stolen. A fourth child she would never know.
Dr. Anderson offering them an understanding smile. "I can't imagine how difficult this must be," He started, "I think it's best if I give you the forms to take home. This decision is permanent and I need you to be sure that it is the correct one."
He wanted them to be sure. Of what? The fact that this was one of the hardest decisions they would ever make? The fact that there was no other choice to make?
"Take a few days. Fax these back when you're ready, and we will proceed to destroy the embryo for you."
Erica bit out a sob.
None of this was fair to her. None of this was in her control. Or what she wanted.
Greg Madden had stolen her choices away.
Josh was dead. Alex and Olivia would likely never know she existed, and this embryo, this embryo, was going to be destroyed.
How was any of this fair?
TBC
