Hope for All- chapter 8
Tony and Angela made their way into the clinic for a follow up appointment with the doctor. It had been three weeks since her HSG test and the remaining tests, the mapping of the uterus and the internal sonograms went as smoothly as possible. Tony made sure he took her to each testing appointment. He had become even more protective of Angela since the HSG testing. Tony opened the door and allowed Angela to walk in first.
"I didn't realize how nervous I am Tony" said Angela as she was rapidly flipping through a random magazine left on the table. "What if something came back on the tests and we can't do this?"
"Eh oh, oh Eh! Everything is going to be fine! And, not for nothin', if it's not, then at least we are in the right place for them to do something about it" Tony said with a slight chuckle to lighten the mood.
"Angela Bower?" called one of the nurses. Tony and Angela stood up together and walked with the nurse into the doctor's office, sitting down in the chairs across from the doctor.
"So we got all your test results back" said the doctor as he skimmed Angela's file. "Everything came back normal, including Tony's tests. No genetic abnormalities noted for either of you and Tony's sperm count is within normal range."
"Eh oh, oh eh… I'm Italian!" said Tony as Angela rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh.
"Anyway, it looks good to start the insemination process this next cycle. You will need to call us on day one of your cycle and come in for bloodwork on day three as well as an internal sonogram. On day five, you will start an oral medication for the following seven to ten days to mature your eggs. Bloodwork and sonograms will be done every two to three days to monitor the progression and your hormonal levels. Around day fourteen to seventeen, once the egg or eggs have matured, Tony will need to give you the trigger shot to stimulate ovulation. The following day or two, you both will come in and the insemination will take place. Bedrest is recommended for the following two days" said the doctor.
Tony's face paled when the shot was mentioned. He looked over at Angela, who saw his face whiten and grabbed his hand. "You will be able to show us how to do the shot right? I think we both are a little nervous about that part" said Angela.
"Yes we will. When the time comes to do the trigger shot, come into the office and a nurse will walk you through it. I forgot to mention, but once you start the oral medication, you will need to restrict your activities. No exercise or lifting anything over five pounds" said the doctor.
"The nurse will give you some additional paperwork about the procedure, everything we talked about and the instructions. She will also provide you with the breakdown of the costs, since most of it is not covered by insurance. If you don't have any additional questions, we will hear from you on day one and see you back in on day three."
Angela and Tony both looked at one another before Angela answered that they didn't have any further questions. They headed back out to the receptionist where the nurse was waiting with their paperwork. Angela and Tony headed out of the office, on to the busy sidewalk.
"Angela, there's a cafe across the street. Would you like to get a coffee?" asked Tony. "Sure Tony. I don't need to be back at work right away" she said.
They both walked across the street and entered the cafe, finding an open table near the windows. Tony went up to the counter and ordered two coffees and some double fudge brownies to share. He carried the drinks and food to the table as Angela was gazing out the window.
"Here you go! I got you decaf coffee since I know you've been trying to cut back on the caffeine like they recommended. Actually, I got us both decaf so I didn't mix them up like I did your champagne and Sam's sparkling cider that one time!" Tony laughed.
"Oh yes I remember! She was so young then, time really has gone by so fast since then…" Angela said as she went back to looking out the window. Tony caught sight of what she was looking at; a mother, father and a young boy no more than two sitting by the bus stop waiting for their bus. The father was lifting up the little boy up over his head, causing fits of uncontrollable giggles from the toddler. The mother was watching on, smiling as she watched her family.
Tony reached across the table and took Angela's hand in his own, gently rubbing small circles over her knuckles. "That could be us one day" Tony said as Angela's gaze moved from the family back to Tony.
"What? Us where?" she said, unsure of what Tony was saying.
"That family out there with the little boy. The one you were watching. That… that could be us one day if this happens. As this is starting to get closer and closer, it's beginning to feel real, which is amazing and kinda terrifying at the same time. I mean this time next year, you could be pregnant or we could even have a baby of our own if it works the first time. Do you have any preference, boy or girl?" asked Tony.
"I know what you mean. All of a sudden the crazy idea I kept tucked away, that was finally becoming a possibility, is now a reality. There's so much we probably should eventually talk about, like how this is going to play out if it does work out, how to address all the changes it will enviably bring to the family, to… us. As for a boy or girl, we already have one of each, so as long as he or she is healthy, it doesn't matter to me" Angela said as a smile crept across her face.
"So when are you due to start… ya know…" Tony trailed off, becoming uncomfortable talking about women's "stuff" as he thought of it.
Laughing at Tony's question, Angela took a moment to do the math. "I'm not always regular, but day one should be sometime early next week, give or take a few days. I don't mind the bloodwork, I'm kinda getting used to feeling like a pin cushion, but the internal sonograms I could live without. Having to have one every few days is not something I'm looking forward to if I'm being honest. It's not as bad as the HSG testing, but let's just say it's not pleasant" said Angela.
"I'm sorry you've gotta go through that, plus the bloodwork. I wish I could help you in some way" said Tony sincerely.
"I know you do. Just you being here with me is all I need. The next few weeks as this gets started are going to be intense I imagine. I just want you to know how much you being here means to me, how much you mean to me Tony" she said as she lightly squeezed his hand.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else" said Tony.
Pushing back the tears that started to form in her eyes, Angela sipped her coffee. "Have you thought about what you'd want the baby to be? Girl or boy?"
"Like you said, we have one of each, so as long as he or she is healthy, that's all that matters. I have had this vision though. It goes back and forth between a little girl and a little boy but both have your beautiful brown eyes and radiant smile. They have my dark hair and olive skin. They're beautiful" said Tony, a smile forming on his face.
Tears no longer being held back, Angela wiped them away with a napkin. "They would, I mean they will be beautiful I'm sure. Oh Tony, I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, in case it doesn't work, but the thought of a baby of our own, it just melts my heart" she said.
Tony and Angela both went back to sipping their coffee and eating brownies, both lost in their own thoughts about this new adventure, picturing their potential baby and each wondering just what this new path would mean for their relationship.
The following Tuesday morning, Angela discreetly let Tony know that it was the start of day one and she would be calling the clinic to start the process. They agreed that that evening they would let Mona and the kids know they were starting the process. The rest of the day seemed to drag on slowly for both of them until it was time for dinner. The family sat down for dinner, sharing in their days' activities.
"So kids, you know I've been going for testing at the clinic to begin the process of trying to have a baby. I got my test results back and everything looks good. We decided that this month, we are going to try and see if the procedure will work. I'll be going in early a few mornings the next few weeks for routine testing. You probably won't see me those mornings, but I'll try and get home earlier since I will get to work earlier. I'll have to start taking a medication to help with the process, which means I won't be able to lift anything heavy for a while. Other than that, things will be pretty much normal until the procedure happens and then I'll have to be on bed rest for two days" said Angela.
"Oh wow… I didn't realize this was happening like so soon. How long until you know if it… umm worked?" asked Samantha.
"Well, between now and the procedure, it should be about two to two and a half weeks. After that, I'll know if I'm pregnant about a week or so later" answered Angela.
"While Angela won't be able to do some of the things around here, we are going to pick up the slack wherever possible. I don't want any additional stress put on her. She's going to be going through enough with the testing and the appointments. We're a family and families stick together!" said Tony.
"Thank you Tony but no one needs to bend over backwards. I'm sure if I need some help, you all will be able to help" said Angela.
"Of course Mom. Whatever you need" said Jonathan. "Yes, definitely Angela. We will be there for you" said Samantha as she grabbed Angela's hand.
"Well, I guess I can help out too. Just don't expect me to be giving up any dates or anything" said Mona.
The rest of the family collectively rolled their eyes at Mona. They continued their dinner and all helped out to clear the table once they were finished. The kids left for their rooms to finish up some additional homework before bed. Tony also retreated to the living room to catch up on some reading for his class. Angela offered Mona some tea as they both sat back down at the kitchen table.
"So this is really happening isn't it Angela? I take it Tony's swimmers are ready and able to take the plunge? All your ducks are in a row too I'm assuming?" chuckled Mona as she went to sip her tea.
"Mother! For your information, yes all our testing came back normal. I'm so glad to be done with that part of it to be honest. I'm not looking forward to the monitoring part with the bloodwork and internal sonograms every few days, but I'll manage" said Angela.
"Are you sure you both are ready for this? What's it going to mean around here? What will it mean for the two of you? Under normal circumstances there's enough electricity between the two of you to light up a small city, but since this all began, I'm surprised you two haven't blown your own fuses" quipped Mona.
Angela just rolled her eyes and sipped her tea."For your information, not that it is any of your business, but yes Tony and I have gotten closer. How could we not? He's going to be the father of this potential baby. The kids seemed to have adjusted to the idea of this actually happening, which was one of my biggest fears from the beginning that they wouldn't. I couldn't do this if I didn't have the whole family's support" said Angela.
"Do you love him Angela?" asked Mona.
"What?" Angela said as she tried in vain to pretend she didn't hear what Mona said.
"I said do you love him? Do you love Tony? Did you hear me this time Angela?" she said with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"What does that have to do with anything?" said Angela. "Why do you always answer a question with a question?" asked Mona sarcastically.
"Annoying isn't it Mother?" laughed Angela. "Of course I love him. He's become family and we are trying to have a baby together" she said.
"Are you in love with him Angela? Not as your housekeeper, or your friend or anything else platonic" asked Mona.
"What if I did love him? What if I was in love with him? What if we tried and it didn't work out? Now there wouldn't just be Samantha and Jonathan, but a whole new person connected to both of us not just by love but by blood" she said.
"I'm having the strangest sense of deja vu… What if it did work out? What if it were good, really good? I know you chickened out the last time we had this conversation, but maybe just maybe you will take my advice this time? Talk to him Angela. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised" said Mona as she put her cup in the sink and walked home to her apartment.
Angela sat there, finishing off her tea, thinking about her conversation with Tony earlier today and her mother just now. "What if she's right? What if it worked out? What if he was in love with me like I am with him? But what if he isn't? I don't think I could handle that type of rejection right now. I'll tell him… if he brings it up first" thought Angela as she finished her tea, tidying up the kitchen before heading to bed.
