Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Things happen for a reason, Elle.”
“They do. The world works in mysterious ways.”
“So do you,” I say as I nudge her. “What’s up?”
Elle sits up and faces me. “Don’t be mad. Okay?”
“Okay.” I’ll be mad no matter what because she told me not to, which means she’s about to say something to piss me off.
“I want you to hear me out before you interject.”
“Okay.”
She sits up a bit straighter. “Tomorrow, we start our shots,” she says. “And in two weeks, they’re going to take our eggs and make some embryos. Then implantation and if all goes according to plan, we’ll be pregnant. Together.”
I nod since she asked me not to say anything.
“I’ve been thinking that maybe I don’t do the procedure at the same time you do.”
“What? Why not? Isn’t that the whole point of doing this together?”
“It is, P. But I’m worried.”
She lets her statement hang in the air.
“I don’t think I could enjoy my pregnancy as much if I were to be pregnant and you weren’t,” she says as tears spill over. “You asked me to carry your baby for you and I told you no because Ben and I want to start a family. That weighs heavily on me. Me telling you no was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. I want nothing more than to see you become a mom, but it would destroy me if in twenty days you don’t find out you’re pregnant and I am.”
“Please don’t cry.” I wipe my own tears and then pull my sister into my arms. “I know I’ll be sad, but I’ll be so happy for you and Ben. You guys deserve to have the baby you want.”
“And we will, but we’re waiting until after your procedure. Once we know it’s been successful and you have a baby growing in your belly, I’ll go in. Until then, my focus needs to be on you.” Elle lifts her shoulder slightly. “And the wedding I’m supposed to be planning.”
My eyes widen. “Shit, we forgot to go to the venue last weekend.”
“I blame Liam and his surprise trip. Why was he here, anyway?”
I glance toward the house, looking for Noah, even though I know he can’t hear me. “He’s struggling so I thought if his dad came, they could do the man-to-man thing. It seemed to work.”
“Don’t worry, Ben’s up there with him. What’s up with Noah, anyway? He seemed off at the appointment?”
“Football and this baby stuff. He hasn’t told me, but I think he feels like he’s letting me down. He’s not but you tell a stubborn man he’s wrong and see how well that goes.”
“Ben bought us a book on pregnancy. He’s reading it. I’m not. It has pictures and nope.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, he’s reading and fist pumps, so I’m like what are you doing? He tells me that women who breastfeed are more susceptible to getting pregnant again after childbirth because of all the hormones and shit—I don’t know I wasn’t listening—anyway, my husband says we don’t have to worry about that since he’s shooting blanks.”
“He’s pretty proud of himself, I see.”
Elle rolls her eyes. “He’s something else. I love him and the positive attitude he has about everything. His last check-up was great. He’s not out of the woods yet, but each visit brings us closer.”
“I’m happy everything worked out, Elle. I truly am.”
She sits back. “You know the chances of having multiple babies is high with IVF, right?”
I nod. “I’ll be happy with one.”
“What if you drop twenty eggs?”
My eyes bug out. “I supposed I’d have to change my name to fertile Myrtle.”
Elle laughs so hard she snorts.
“What’s so funny?”
Ben’s voice has Elle turning toward him.
Before she can adjust and welcome her husband, Beau jumps on mine and Elle’s laps and proceeds to show us how much he’s missed us. “Okay, down,” Elle says, and he jumps to the ground and sits. Elle gives him some love and holds her hand out so Ben can give her a treat for him. There are times when I want a dog, but then I remember how much I work and think of how unfair it would be for the doggie to be home all day by himself.
Noah isn’t far behind Ben. He smiles and I know it’s just for me. As much as I like my alone time, I love being with my husband. I hold out my hand for him, to let him know I want him near me. Elle moves over to the other seat and Noah sits next to me. He kisses me, holding his lips to mine for a second. While I know my sister is out here with us, Noah’s the only one in my orbit.
“They’re coming,” Ben says out of the blue.
Noah turns as my mouth drops open.