Valerie moves to Miami with Angie and Mary Alice a month later than Albert and the three youngest children. They came to Miami for my wedding reception during Thanksgiving, but she had to return to Trenton with the oldest girls. Her obligation to the school for their winter festivities delayed her move. I couldn't convince her to change her mind. She takes her volunteer work seriously. Valerie had a reasonable argument for staying behind. When Steve left her, Valerie had to cancel her volunteer time, affecting the Thanksgiving and Christmas winter pageants because Angie had an important role in both productions. Though they didn't complain, the girls wanted to participate with their friends in Trenton. The Rangeman employees ensured their safety.
While Valerie was away, Albert took advantage of having Isla, Marybeth, and Liliana help with Lisa, Bert, and Lori in Valerie's absence. He struggles to maintain a routine, which is Valerie's forte. I understand Albert's struggle. It took me months to adapt to Tyler's schedule. Zack found it easy. His military training likely has something to do with it. Albert is more relaxed having Valerie take over raising their children. It takes several weeks for Valerie to find a house for her family. The rental is nice, but there isn't enough room for the children. Without a basement, Angie and Mary Alice have to share their room with Lisa. Bert and Lori sleep in the smallest bedroom. Their new house has four bedrooms upstairs and one on the main floor. It's expensive, but Albert has more than enough money for the down payment. His job pays well. I'm glad everything is on schedule for them to move into a house better suited for their needs. It brings us back to today and all the craziness that seems to forever engulf my family and friends. I can't complain. I'd rather be busy than bored out of my skull.
Today is busy and Valerie's move into her new house will add to the already busy day. I'm meeting Isla and Liliana at the clinic for their follow-up appointment. Dr. Mitchell implanted four embryos into Isla's uterus and two in Liliana's, as planned before I went on my honeymoon. I can't believe these two remarkable women are willingly carrying my babies.
I'm nervous as I drive to Dr. Mitchell's clinic. Isla and Liliana should be waiting for my arrival after having their prenatal appointments with the doctor. The women always plan their appointments to occur one after the other. Once we're confident the embryos are viable, they'll meet with the doctor in the obstetrician's office within the clinic. It's a one-stop shop type of situation.
I leave Tyler with Marybeth since Zack is with Lester in the field. They're meeting with a client to review the placement of the cameras and door sensors. I'm hoping for some good news. Specifically, I need to know that at least three embryos will produce the children Grandma mentioned during my drug-induced dream.
There's a parking spot beside Liliana's SUV. I smile and pull into the space, which I usually call having Rangeman parking karma. It's about time I get an ideal parking spot. I'm anxious to learn about Isla and Liliana's progress with the pregnancies. My heart races as I enter the clinic. Isla greets me when I enter, "Hey, Steph. I'm glad you made it. Isn't Zack with you today?"
"No. Zack had to meet a client with Lester. It's something he can handle in my place," I reply. I'm usually Lester's partner. I never reassign someone to take my place, but Zack's better at climbing ladders than I am. My fear of heights keeps my feet on the ground. "Where's Liliana?"
"In the examination room, getting an ultrasound," Isla replies.
"I thought her appointment was first," I say, furrowing my eyebrows.
Isla giggles and explains, "She didn't drink enough water for the ultrasound to be effective. I feel bad because she was ready to burst when they took her in. The doctor is recording everything for you. She'll use those to show you the babies this time. Before I move to the obstetrician, Dr. Mitchell needs you to accompany me next month so she can sign off the care to a specialist for multiples."
"Does that mean you're carrying more than one?" I ask, covering my mouth. Isla smiles and nods, then her lips thin, and she's close to tears. "Hey, hey, hey. It's okay. I'm sorry your hormones are all over the place. I'll be happy with whatever I can get. Even if it's only one of the four."
Gracie cautiously approaches us. "Are you okay, Isla?" she kindly asks.
"I'm fine. Just a little emotional," Isla replies. Gracie touches Isla's arm, attempting to comfort her. "I'll be okay after Stephanie meets with Dr. Mitchell."
"Let me know if you need anything," Gracie says. Isla nods without saying anything more to the receptionist.
"How many?" I whisper, demanding her attention.
Isla picks at her nails for several seconds before she raises her head to look into my eyes. She quietly replies, "Three, but it might end up being two." Her eyes show the pain she feels in having to tell me horrible news. I feel guilty for not arriving sooner.
"I'm sorry for not being here when you needed me the most. Don't worry about the babies. What is meant to be will happen. As I said a few minutes ago, I'll be okay if you only carry one. You're giving me this amazing gift, and I will accept whatever I receive," I say. "If you change your mind, it isn't too late to terminate, and I'll still pay for everything." I hope she hears the sincerity in my words. I'm willing to end my dream of having children with Zack if that's what Isla wants. She is bound to the contract, but I have a clause indicating we can end the contract if or when the surrogate's life is in danger.
Isla immediately shakes her head. "No. I'm doing this for you. It isn't about the money, though it does help pay off my student loans. I would have done this for you because you showed my brother he has a bright future despite his past. Hector's still worried about the repercussions of leaving behind the gang life, but you gave him hope of living a future he never imagined."
"Should I be worried about them coming after you now that you're pregnant?" I ask.
"Not at all," Isla emphatically replies. "They're too afraid of Hector to come after me or people he considers his family. You're our sister in our hearts, and I will do anything for my sister. I'm sorry for making you worry."
"You're worrying enough for the both of us," I joke. "Seriously, you concentrate on growing my babies and leave the rest of the worrying to me. I'm thankful you let me borrow your body to carry my children. Whatever happens is meant to be. I promise not to get upset with you." I'm repeating myself, but Isla needs the reassurance.
"Even if I miscarry them all?" she asks.
"Yes, though I doubt that will happen. You're young and healthy. The only reason you'll have to miscarry is if my embryos aren't viable. One of them didn't make it because it wasn't strong enough. Losing that baby isn't your fault, and neither is the other one if it happens. Many women miscarry babies without knowing they're pregnant. It's the natural selection of life. You're attuned to this pregnancy because you know about the babies. I think it's more stressful being a surrogate than trying to conceive naturally," I reply. Isla takes a deep breath to ward away her fear and sadness. "Thank you," I say once she's calmer.
"For what?" she asks, her eyes displaying her confusion over why I'm thanking her.
"Being honest about your concerns and feelings," I reply. "You should visit Milo. He'll help you move past the guilt you're feeling for losing one of the embryos. I'm honestly not upset. Having six newborns kind of frightened me."
My confession makes Isla giggle. "And having five is less threatening?"
"Absolutely," I laugh, feeling the relief of putting Isla at ease. She can't afford to endure too much stress over the pregnancy. Isla is relatively level-headed, but pregnancy hormones can affect your mental state. I should know because the IVF drugs made my hormones go nuts.
"Mrs. Bolton, the doctor would like to see you and Isla," Gracie announces.
Isla and I stand to follow Gracie to the examination room, where Dr. Mitchell, Aubrey, and Liliana are waiting. I smile at Liliana, who returns it with a wide-mouthed grin.
"Welcome, Mrs. Bolton," Dr. Mitchell greets.
"Please, call me Stephanie or Steph," I remind her.
Dr. Mitchell smiles politely and says, "Steph, both embryos I implanted into Liliana's uterus are holding strong. Only three of the four embryos implanted into Isla's uterus survived the first trimester. Two fetuses, Baby B and Baby C, are firmly attached and are developing at the normal rate."
"The third?" I ask after taking a deep breath. It's the issue Isla mentioned in the waiting room. I need to know what's going on with Baby A.
"Grossly underdeveloped. I'm afraid it won't survive much longer," Dr. Mitchell sadly explains.
"Will it affect the other two babies?"
"No, but leaving Baby A inside might pose a risk to the other two," she replies.
"Can I see?" I ask, pointing to the sonogram machine.
Aubrey retrieves the data from Isla's ultrasound. Dr. Mitchell points to Baby B and C resting at the top of Isla's uterus. "These two, as you can see, have arms and legs, whereas this one, Baby A," Dr. Mitchell points to the fetus at the bottom, "still resembles a kidney bean. There has been no development since last month despite it having a heartbeat. In my opinion, the best solution is to remove it from the uterus to allow the other two fetuses to thrive."
I take Isla's hand to ask, "What do you want to do?"
"It's your baby," Isla replies, trying to maintain eye contact. Tears swim in her eyes. I know she's upset about the situation and doesn't want to choose wrong. Ultimately, it's my decision. I'm silently begging her not to cry because I will cry. Maybe we can cry together when we get home.
"True, but you're the one who has to endure the procedure. I'll support whatever you want," I say.
"What do you think I should do?" Isla asks. We have other things to consider before agreeing to the procedure. Dr. Mitchell is the only person capable of answering questions about the risks.
I ask Dr. Mitchell, "What are the risks of having this procedure?"
"Spotting, cramps, amniotic fluid leakage from the abdomen and the worst scenario is miscarrying the other two fetuses," she replies honestly.
"And the risk of leaving it?" I ask.
"Spotting, cramps and miscarrying the pregnancy."
"So both options can risk a miscarriage. How long will Isla need to be on bed rest?"
"Several days. We have a small window available to reduce the number of fetuses. I prefer performing a fetal reduction between ten and thirteen weeks. Isla's already twelve and a half weeks pregnant. I must schedule the procedure immediately," she explains.
"Isla, I think you should have the procedure. It's best for the other fetuses," I say.
"I agree," Isla cries.
Dr. Mitchell touches Isla's arm. "You're making the right decision. I'll meet you at Miami-Dade Hospital at nine tomorrow morning. You'll need to stay there for a few days to ensure you're not experiencing complications."
"I'll be with you the entire time," I promise.
"Okay," Isla replies. "How is Liliana doing?"
"The fetus is thriving," Dr. Mitchell replies.
It takes me a few seconds to realize what she's saying. "Only one?" I ask.
"Yes," Dr. Mitchell replies. "Singular pregnancy because other embryo didn't take." The news didn't surprise me. Liliana had some spotting this morning. I assumed one of the babies didn't stick.
"This one is strong," Liliana adds. "We're fine, Steph. You're going to have three babies in thirty weeks." Her statement makes me smile. I'm going to have three babies, as Grandma predicted.
I wonder who is pregnant with my daughter. God help Isla if she's pregnant with both of my sons. Grandma's voice suddenly comes into my mind. "The boys are not identical twins despite how much they look alike." Does that mean Isla is carrying the boys? Grandma didn't specify. My sons appear identical, but they aren't. It didn't automatically mean Isla was pregnant with the two boys, and Liliana was pregnant with my daughter. I guess we'll have to wait for the surprise. Hopefully, Dr. Mitchell can determine genders during the ultrasound in a month.
Liliana and Isla arrange their appointments with Dr. Mitchell for next month. I promise to attend the reduction procedure the following morning. I'll have to change a few Rangeman meetings, but I'm sure the clients wouldn't mind. If they do, Lester and Hal will have to conduct them without me. I make a mental note to contact the clients upon my return to Rangeman.
When I arrive at Rangeman, I find my favourite Merry Men waiting for me. Zack and Lester are the only men missing. "Sorry, guys. You need to wait for the announcement until I get a chance to talk to my husband," I say when I exit my SUV.
Sensing something wrong with Isla, Hector whisks her away before anyone can ask her questions. Liliana disappears with them while I'm occupying everyone else's attention. The guys complain and leave. I step onto the elevator with Ranger, Bobby and Tank. "What happened?" Bobby asks.
I exhale a breath while counting to ten. "Zack should hear before I share the news with anyone," I reply.
"That doesn't sound good," Bobby reasons.
We exit on the fifth floor and go to our offices without talking. Bobby watches for a reaction. He thinks something is wrong because Liliana and Isla didn't follow me to the office. I sit in my office for a few minutes before calling the clients to reschedule the morning meeting. The clients agree, since they want to talk to me, not the guys. Apparently, their concerns require a feminine touch. I update my calendar and leave my office to meet Hector in his lair. Nobody follows me or asks questions. It's a relief to get away.
"Are you okay?" Isla asks.
"I'm fine," I reply. "You should be upset by this, not me."
"I was upset because this is the second baby I lost," Isla replies.
"I'm going to tell you two something, but you can't tell anyone else," I warn Isla and Liliana.
"Ooh… I like secrets," Liliana says, rubbing her hands together gleefully. I tell the women about the conversation I had with Grandma while I was having surgery to remove the bullet. Liliana gasps and touches her abdomen. Isla's reaction takes me by surprise. She's laughing so hard that she needs to run to the washroom before pissing her pants.