work?”
Andrea asked.
“ This couple need a donor egg. I would have
their baby and give up my rights.”
“ Absolutely not. That is ridiculous
Henrietta. Am I supposed to have a grandchild I don’t know?”
“ Can you please try to keep an open mind
mother? This baby wouldn’t be your grandchild. It would be
their baby. I have already met with the couple. They seem great and I
want to help them.” Ettie said uncertainly. She needed her
mother’s approval.
“ And do you really think you can just walk
away from your own child?” Andrea demanded.
“ Mom remember what you told me? About how
hard it was for you to get pregnant? What would you have done if you
didn’t have me? I could help someone who went through the same
thing you did.”
Andrea contemplated her daughter for a moment. She was right of
course. Ettie was her and Henry’s greatest joy. She didn’t
know how she would have survived if she had lost Henry and didn’t
have Ettie.
“ I’m trying to secure Lily’s
future. And this family could provide so much for this baby. He or
she would have a good life mom.”
“ Well it sounds like you’ve already
made up your mind,” Andrea said pointedly.
“ I need your approval,” Ettie
whispered.
“ Henrietta Fraser. There is a lot you need,
but my approval was never one of those things. You know I support
your choice. I don’t agree with it. I’m not happy about
it. But I support you,” Andrea said.
“ Thanks mom,” Ettie said, hugging her
mother tightly, silent tears streaming down her face.
That night Ettie, Gina, and Abbie had dinner. Her friends had gotten
a babysitter for Jordan.
“ You sure about this?” Gina asked.
“ I’m sure,” Ettie replied taking
a bite of her pasta.
“ Yes, but this is totally different,”
Abbie said dumbfounded.
“ It’s not that different. Your donor
knows he’s a father but is not involved,” Ettie said
matter of factly.
“ Well yes, but he also didn’t carry
Jordan for nine months,” Abbie pointed out.
“ I thought you guys of all people would
support me,” Ettie said, clearly irritated.
“ Ettie we support you,” Gina
interjected. “We just want to make sure that you’ll be
okay at the end of this.”
“ If you met them you would know I was making
the right choice. They will love this baby. And I will be. I will be
fine.”
*****
Henrietta’s decision hung over Roy for the next few days. He
didn’t want to rush her or scare her off with his eagerness.
Melissa reassured him that she had gotten positive vibes from
Henrietta and was sure she would agree. Roy was still anxious, and
probably would be until he heard from Henrietta. Roy had gotten good
vibes off of Henrietta as well. He loved the way her face lit up when
she spoke about her daughter. She was intelligent, witty, she had a
warm laugh. Most of all she seemed to really look forward to helping
them start a family. She was everything they were looking for. Even
Melissa seemed happier about their decision after meeting her.
Truthfully Roy had hoped that she would have made her decision then
but couldn’t fault her for needing a few days to think about
it. Roy had known right away, from the moment he saw her profile that
she was the one. Meeting her just confirmed it.
The weekend passed and they still had not heard from Henrietta. He
was sure she would call on Monday. By Tuesday he was walking on
eggshells, knots in his stomach. He had to resist the urge to call
her. Finally on Wednesday during a meeting, his secretary came in
with a note that simply read please call Henrietta Fraser and her
phone number. Roy signaled to Mark who leaned over as his brother
whispered something in his ear. Mark nodded.
“ Sorry gentlemen, ladies. I have to take
care of an urgent matter. I leave you in the capable hands of my
brother,” Roy said nodding to the small group.
As he exited the office he caught sight of his father's disapproving
face. He knew his father didn’t think Mark
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