The Billionaires Hired Baby Mother: When the wife and surrogate are two different people (7 page)

“
I hate to ask,” Melissa said slowly.
“But are you really okay with just handing the baby to us at
the end of this? What about your daughter? Will she have questions? I
just need to know how you feel.”

To be perfectly honest this was something Ettie had struggled with as
well. It was one thing when she was just renting out womb space, it
was a completely different matter when she was biologically the
child’s mother.

“
I’m not sure if there is a correct
way to answer that. I guess I feel positive that this child will be
loved and have two great parents. It makes it easier but I would be
lying if I say it won’t be hard. Ideally, I would like updates.
Maybe a yearly picture but I will be involved as little as you need
me to be. This will be your child. You don’t have to worry
about that. I wouldn’t have signed up for this if I couldn’t
handle it.”

“
That wouldn’t be a problem. We would
want you to be as involved as you would like,” Roy replied.

Melissa tensed up. They hadn’t discussed that. She wasn’t
sure if that’s what she wanted but she didn’t want to
disagree with Roy in front of Henrietta, so instead she stayed silent
and steered the conversation in a different direction.

“
Was there anything you wanted to ask us
Henrietta? I feel like we’ve been giving you the third degree,”
Melissa joked.

“
I just want to make sure that you are okay
with this process. Although this wouldn’t be my child, I want
to know that he or she will be well loved and cared for,” Ettie
said quietly.

“
Henrietta,” Roy said grabbing her
hand, “we want this child more than you know. We have such a
wonderful life, we just want the chance to share that. You would help
make our family complete.”

They talked for a while longer, touching on sensitive subjects like
what Henrietta would be comfortable with in the case of multiples and
selective reduction, and if she would allow them in the delivery room
when it was time. At the end of the meeting, Henrietta’s mind
was made up, though she did ask for a few days to reflect on
everything.

Ettie had decided she would be the Gardner’s surrogate.

Ettie decided to take the rest of the day off. She could talk to her
mother while Lily was still at school. She needed to have a serious
private discussion and Lily was at the age where she had started
asking questions and eavesdropping. Andrea was in the kitchen when
Ettie got home.

“
Mom?” Ettie called out.

Andrea looked up startled.

“
Ettie. What are you doing home so early? Is
everything okay?” she asked.

“
I took the day off. Mom, I need to talk to
you.”

“
What’s going on Henrietta?”
Andrea asked concerned now.

“
Mom. You know about Lily’s tuition.
And our bills. I was talking to Gina and Abbie and I had this idea to
become a surrogate.”

“
What?” Andrea spluttered.

“
Having a child for someone.”

“
I know what a surrogate is Ettie. Have you
lost your mind?”

“
Mother I’m being serious. I went to
the Bloomfield Clinic, where Abbie had her procedure done about a
month ago and I filled out the paperwork.”

“
You did what?”

“
Mom please let me finish. I need you to be
on board with this before I make my decision,” Ettie pleaded.

“
Ettie I…”

“
Please mom. Listen.”

Andrea nodded.

“
I really thought about this for a long
time. They are willing to pay me seventy five thousand dollars plus
living expenses while I’m pregnant, medical expenses. That
would cover Lily’s entire tuition plus pay off the house. This
could change our whole life.”

“
Ettie. We can come up with the money
another way.”

“
There isn’t another way.”

“
George…”

“
I’m not asking George for anything.
He chose to walk out of Lily’s life. He has his own family. We
have to worry about ours.”

“
And how does all of this 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 was ready but he
really didn't have time to think about that right now, he needed to
call Henrietta.

She answered on the second ring.

“
Hello,” she answered.

“
Henrietta? This is Roy Gardner. How are
you?” Roy asked eagerly.

“
I’m fine. I’ve been trying to
reach you and your wife. I didn’t realize the number you gave
me was your work number, but I wanted to speak to you both,”
Ettie said.

“
It’s my cell. I just had all my calls
directed to the office. I was hoping you would call. Would you like
to meet for lunch somewhere?” Roy asked.

“
Yes, that would be perfect,” Ettie
replied. “Where would you have in mind?”

“
How about Searsucker? It’s on
Colorado,” Roy replied.

“
Okay. It will take me a while to get there,
about an hour and a half. Is two thirty okay?” Ettie asked.

“
Where are you coming from?” Roy
inquired.

“
I live in Southgate,” Ettie said
carefully.

“
Oh. I had no idea. Would you like to meet
somewhere closer?” Roy recovered.

“
No. Searsucker is fine. I’ll see you
both soon,” Ettie said, hanging up.

Roy quickly dialed Melissa’s cellphone. It went to voicemail.
He tried three more times before she finally answered.

“
Hello?” Melissa snapped.

“
Mel. I’ve been trying to call you,”
Roy exclaimed.

“
I know. I’m in an important meeting,”
Melissa stated.

“
Melissa. Ettie wants to meet us for lunch
at two-thirty. I think she had decided,” Roy said excitedly.

“
Today? I have an important client I can’t
reschedule Roy. You have to go without me.”

“
Mel, I can’t go without you! That’s
ridiculous. I’m sure the client will understand.”

“
Roy I’ve taken off so much time
already. I already rescheduled this meeting once. I can’t just
change plans at the last minute. Call Henrietta and reschedule,”
Melissa said exasperated.

“
I can’t do that. She’s already
on her way and she’s coming from Southgate,” Roy
protested.

“
I just can’t make it Roy. I don’t
know what else to tell you. Call me if there is any news,”
Melissa said hanging up the phone.

Roy was perturbed. He couldn’t believe Melissa could brush off
something as important as this. He wanted to call her back but he
knew that it would only lead to more arguing. He didn’t get
her. He blew off an important meeting. Surely this client wasn’t
more important than their child. He didn’t want to have a
negative vibe when he saw Henrietta so he filed it away, he would
talk to Mel about it later. He headed to the company gym where he
showered and changed for his lunch date.

As Roy drove towards the restaurant, his excitement grew. In the back
of his mind there was a nagging voice asking him if Melissa was as
invested in this journey as he was but he brushed it off as annoyance
with her from earlier. When he arrived, Henrietta was already
waiting.

“
Hello Henrietta,” Roy beamed at her.

She flashed a smile back at him.

“
Is Melissa on her way?” Ettie asked
when she didn’t see her appear.

“
No sorry, Melissa was swamped at work. I’m
sorry.”

Ettie frowned.

“
Your table is ready Mr. Gardner,” the
hostess said. “Right this way.”

Roy placed his hand on Ettie’s shoulder guiding her to the
table.

As they sat down, Ettie could tell that Roy was bursting with
excitement. To be honest, she was pretty excited herself, she was a
little disappointed that Melissa wasn't there.

"But no matter Roy," she said. "I wanted to tell you
both at the same time... but I just wanted you to know that I have
decided yes I will be your surrogate."

Roy's face broke into a brilliant smile.

"Oh my god Henrietta, you have just made me so happy. Both of
us, Melissa and I, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have
no idea how grateful we are to you. We wanted a family for so long
and because of you, our dream is finally coming true.”

Ettie laughed.

"I am more than happy to do this. If you are this happy when the
baby's born I'll be even more grateful."

At that moment the waiter came to take their
order. Roy insisted on champagne to toast the occasion. Ettie
reminded him that she needed to have a hospitable womb. They spent
the afternoon getting to know one another better. Ettie told him
about Lily. Roy smiled at the way she glowed when she spoke of her.
Roy told her about his family, about his nieces and nephews and a
little more about himself. Ettie opened up to him about Andrea and
her recent illness. It was easy to talk to Roy, and Roy found it easy
to talk to Ettie. Before they knew it they had spent two hours at the
restaurant.

"Look at the time. I can't believe that's it's so late. I need
to go pick Lily up from dance class."

Roy glanced at his watch.