The Sheikh's Illicit Affair by Holly Rayner, Lara Hunter

everything went well at the consultation. But, if everything did go perfectly, a year from now, she could be holding a baby in her arms. Her apartment could be filled with highchairs and strollers and baby toys. One year from now, she could be a mom. Tears came to her eyes and she breathed through them, laughing, and dreaming.

 
     
    SEVEN

“I did it!” Megan said excitedly, holding her cellphone to her ear.
    “Did what?” Rachel asked.
     
    “I am walking right now to my consultation at the sperm bank.” She turned the corner onto the next block, swinging her free arm cheerfully at her side.
     
    There was a long silence. Then, “Megan. What happened to thinking about things for a while?”
     
    “This is only the consultation. I’m going mostly to get more information so that I can make the best decision. There’s only so much info online, you know? I want to talk to them and see the facility.”
     
    “Okay, I guess that’s fair. If everything goes well, how soon will you get the sperm and everything?”
     
    Megan dropped her voice. This wasn’t exactly the most appropriate conversation to be having while walking down the crowded sidewalk. “Well, I have to find a doctor to do the insemination and everything and schedule it. And then there’s the bigger problem. I have to pay for all this. Insurance won’t cover anything until I’m pregnant.”
     
    “It is expensive?”
     
    “Expensive enough. I’ll have to save up. But I have a savings plan. I sat down earlier and figured out my bills and what I can afford to put away each month. I don’t think it’ll take too long, and the money I made on Zaakir’s lessons will give me a boost.”
     
    “Wow,” Rachel said. “Okay then. You’re really doing this. Megan, you’re going to be a mom.”
     
    She broke into a huge grin and giggled. “I know! So are you. We’ll be moms together!”
     
    “Well, we are so starting a mom’s group. And this will make your Mommy and Me classes more interesting. You’ll have your own child there.”
     
    “I know.” Megan took in a breath and sighed dreamily.
     
    “Is this the type of thing where you can pick if you want a girl or a boy?”
     
    “Well, no. I don’t think I would pick, though.”
     
    “You wouldn’t? I thought you’d want a girl. A little ballerina.”
     
    “I wouldn’t pick, no. I like the idea of fate choosing my child for me. And besides, plenty of boys dance. If he wanted to do sports, I’d be fine with that, and even if I had a daughter, there’s no guarantee she’d be into dance. I didn’t exactly take after my parents.”
     
    “Yeah, well. Yours don’t have the most interesting career goals.”
     
    “Their goal is and always has been whatever will make the most money.”
     
    She stood for a moment, looking up at the building that housed the sperm bank. The logo was on the glass door, beside large photo displays across the front of the building.
     
    “I know,” Rachel said. “And that’s why you didn’t want to do it their way. Doing the thing you love is always far better.”
     
    “Very true. Okay. Well, I just got here. Wish me luck!”
     
    “Good luck, future mommy!” Rachel made a kissy noise and Megan made one back before hanging up.
     
    Megan smoothed down her shirt and stepped forward to open the door. Inside, the building was clean and elegant. The walls were a crisp white and many had more of the large photos of smiling children and families. A long desk ran along the far wall, and several comfortable-looking chairs sat off to either side. The color palette was pastels in soothing colors. Clearly, they were going for comforting and peaceful with their décor.
     
    She approached the smiling woman behind the desk. “Hi, I’m Megan Van Lieden. I have an appointment for a consultation.”
     
    “Okay, sure.” The woman typed on her computer, then furrowed her eyebrows. “Megan, you said?”
     
    “Yes.”
     
    Another few moments went by.