The Billionaires Hired Baby Mother: When the wife and surrogate are two different people (10 page)

Melissa got home at around seven that night, and called out to Roy.
He had just finished eating the dinner Ellen had prepared and was in
the media room relaxing. While CNN played softly in the background,
he was catching up with his email.

“
In the den Mel,” he called out.

“
Hi honey,” she said kissing him on
the forehead.

Roy pressed the mute button and laid his tablet
aside.

“
Hello beautiful,” he said with a
smile. ”How was work?”

“
Oh you know,” Melissa replied taking
a seat next to him. “Busy as always. I have a big event
tomorrow,
the women's luncheon. I think I told you about it the other night.”

“
How is that going?” he asked.

Roy patted his leg and Melissa gladly kicked her heels off and let
him give her a foot rub.

“
Oh that is wonderful,” she said
sighing. “Almost wrapped up. Just some final preparations. I'll
be working all day
tomorrow.
I’ll be prepping early morning”

“
Wait, you are coming to the doctors
appointment
tomorrow
aren’t you?” he asked.

“
Oh my god! Is that
tomorrow?”

“
Mel. I reminded you like ten times,”
Roy said exasperated.

“
What time do you have to be there?”
Melissa asked.

“
It's at eleven,” he said frowning.

“
I can't make that appointment. There's no
way anyone else can run the event. I completely forgot,” she
replied.

“
Are you kidding me Melissa?” Roy said
angry now. “This is very important. We find out the sex of the
baby tomorrow.”

“
Well I'm sorry,” Melissa said a
little irritated herself. “I had a lot on my mind. This is a
big client for me. If I do well I can secure them every year.”

“
Melissa, it's not like we need the money,”
Roy said moving her feet and standing up.

“
It's not about the money Roy,”
Melissa said standing herself. “This is about me and my
accomplishments. This is about me feeling like I have a purpose.”

“
And what about the baby?” he snapped.
“Is the baby not a purpose too? He or she has to come first
every single time!”

“
Of course. You don't think I know that?”
she said. “But my career is important too.”

“
It's always your job first Mel. I really
need you to be there. I didn't say anything when you missed all of
the other appointments but this one. I need you and don't look at me
that way. We're supposed to be in this thing together,” he
fumed.

“
We are in this thing together,” she
retorted.

“
Well it doesn’t feel that way.”

“
So I am a horrible person because I have
other priorities?” Melissa questioned, her face flushing red.

“
I didn’t say that. Why do you always
go there? We discussed this. At length. You said you wanted this and
you were supposed to make this a priority too. And it’s not
just about us. Ettie is involved. We can’t just change our
minds now.”

“
I'm sorry I'm not the perfect mother,”
Melissa said her arms crossed. “I'm sorry I'm not like Ettie.”

“
Don't bring her into this. She has nothing
to do with it. This is about us. You do realize that this baby is
ours. Not mine and Ettie’s. Yours and mine. And whether you
like it or not this baby is on it’s way.”

“
How dare you! Obviously I know that. I am
on board but I also have a life outside of this child. I’m just
not obsessed like you are,” Melissa spat.

“
Obsessed? Melissa, I love our baby. If you
didn't want this then you should have spoken up.”

“
And what disappoint you as usual?”
Melissa taunted.

“
Don't you do that now. You said you wanted
this family just like I did.”

“
I do. At least I thought I did. But my
career is finally taking off. People are starting to recognize me for
myself and not just as Roy Gardner’s wife. And I'm sorry but
that's important to me. I want this baby. I do.”

“
Are you going to be there
tomorrow?”
Roy asked softly. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

“
I don't know if I can make it,”
Melissa said finally.

Roy looked at Melissa in a way that she never saw before. Finally he
turned from her and turned the television back on.

“
Oh, so I’m just dismissed Roy?”
Melissa questioned.

“
Have I ever treated you like that Mel? I
don't want to discuss it now. I'm just thinking.”

“
What are you thinking about?” she
said her eyes tearing up.

“
I just don't know what you want anymore.
You're so distant lately. You don't come home until late. You don't
answer my calls. You’re not excited when I talk about the baby,
you change the subject every time I bring it up. And now you forget
one of the most important appointments. What's really going Mel? It’s
not what I’m thinking. What are you thinking?”

“
Nothing is going on,” Melissa
protested. “I just... I just have a lot going on at work. I’ll
figure something out.”

“
I hope you can make it there
tomorrow,
”
Roy said staring her in the eyes.

Melissa looked away.

“
I'll try my best,” Melissa whispered.

Roy turned his attention back to the television.

*****

Ettie stared at herself in the mirror. The sundress she wore was very
flattering, the fabric stretched over the small baby bump which
seemed to grow overnight. She wanted to look nice, even though part
of her admonished herself for thinking that way. When she got to Dr.
Blue’s office she was surprised to see that Roy was alone.

“
Hi,” she said beaming at him.
“Where’s Melissa?”

“
I’m not sure if she can make it,”
Roy replied quietly. “Something at work came up.”

Ettie didn’t know what to say so she just nodded.

When they were shown into the examining room Ettie realized her poor
choice of attire.

“
Ettie you can get undressed and I’ll
be in in a moment,” Dr. Blue said smiling as he closed the
door.

“
Oh. I’ll wait outside too,” Roy
said turning red. “Will you ask Dr. Blue to come and tell me
what the sex is?”

“
Don’t be ridiculous. I want you in
here,” Ettie said blushing herself. “It’s just an
ultrasound. The blanket will take care of, well you know.”

“
Okay. Thank you,” Roy said grateful.
“I’ll be right back.”

The ultrasound gel was cold and Ettie giggled when the wand was
passed across her belly. Roy smiled despite himself.

“
Okay. Look here,” Dr. Blue said.

He circled something on the monitor.

“
What are we looking at?” Roy asked
eagerly.

“
That would be a penis Roy,” Dr. Blue
said chuckling. “Congratulations. You’re having a boy.”

Roy couldn’t contain his happiness. He jumped up from his seat
and kissed Ettie on the cheek laughing. His laugh was contagious and
Ettie found herself joining in.

“
My son,” he said, his smile touching
Ettie’s heart.

As they walked out the doctor’s office, both wide smiles, Roy
caught sight of Melissa.

“
Mel,” he exclaimed. “You’re
here.”

“
Am I too late?” Melissa asked.

Suddenly Ettie felt alone. She had to stop these crazy feelings. She
watched from the sidelines as Roy hugged Melissa.

“
A boy! We’re having a boy,” he
exalted.

Ettie smiled shyly at Melissa.

“
Congratulations,” she said.

“
Mel we have to go shopping. The nursery…
sports stuff. Our son,” he said laughing.

“
Of course,” Melissa said beaming.

“
Let’s go have lunch first. Ettie is
starving,” Roy explained.

“
Roy I can’t. I barely got away. The
luncheon. I have to get back, but maybe Ettie can help you pick out
some things after lunch,” Melissa apologized. “Ettie?”
she asked.

His smile fell slightly.

“
Of course. Yes I can do that. I’m
free for the rest of the day,” Ettie said.

Melissa smiled at her gratefully.

“
Okay. Thank you Ettie.” He turned to
Melissa. “Thanks for coming honey,” he said kissing her.

“
I’m sorry I was late,” Melissa
said sadly.

“
It’s okay. Really. I’ll see you
at home.”

They waved to Melissa as she drove off.

“
So what are you in the mood for?” Roy
asked Ettie.

Later, after chicken burritos and an insane amount of guacamole and
chips, Ettie drove with Roy to the nearby shopping mall. They made
their way to a high end children’s store. Roy wanted to buy
everything he saw. His excitement was infectious and Ettie found
herself enjoying picking out things to show him. As they made their
way to the furniture section.

“
This would be perfect,” Roy said
pointing out a beautiful cherrywood crib with matching changing
station, dresser, and bassinet.

“
Oh,” Ettie said.

“
You don’t like it?” Roy
questioned.

“
It’s not that. It’s gorgeous. I
just thought maybe Melissa would want to help you pick that stuff
out,” Ettie answered.

“
Melissa, well she’s been really busy
at work. Trust me she won’t mind. You heard what she said
earlier,” Roy responded.

“
Okay,” Ettie said slowly. “Well
then I think this is perfect.”

Ettie had to stop Roy from buying one of everything in the store. He
arranged to have their purchases delivered to his house the following
day. By the time they left the mall it was several hours.

“
What time is it?” Ettie inquired.

Roy checked his watch.

“
It’s almost four,” he said.

“
I need to get Lily,” Ettie said
frowning. “And start dinner!”

“
Okay. I will drive you back to your car,”
Roy said.

When they got back to Dr.Blue’s office Roy was suddenly nervous
and didn’t know why.

“
I had a great time today. Thank you for all
of your help Ettie,” he said.

“
I had fun. Everything was so small and
adorable. It’s been awhile since Lily was that tiny,” she
smiled.

On the drive home Ettie thought about the day’s events. She
thought about the life growing inside of her and a small pang of
sadness hit her. She had always thought she would give Lily siblings.
She still had time of course but she realized sadly that this child
would be her first son. Not my son, she reminded herself quickly.
Melissa and Roy’s son. Still it was a pang deep inside of her.
She wondered what the baby would look like. Would he look like Lily?
Would he look like her? Although Ettie didn’t regret her
decision on becoming a surrogate, she never thought about how
attached she would actually become to the child. She had signed her
rights away and as sad as she was now, she wondered how bad she would
feel when she had to part with her baby. Not my baby she said again
but silent tears were already streaming down her cheeks. Not my baby,
she repeated over and over in her head for the rest of the way home.
It didn’t help that when she got home there was dinner waiting
for her, delivery from the local Chinese restaurant. The message was
from Roy, saying that she should rest and not worry about dinner. Why
did he have to be so perfect?

On the drive home Roy’s thoughts were on Ettie. He had enjoyed
the day with her. It was so easy. He had to admit his feelings for
her were starting to grow. It confused him. There was a moment
earlier, where his hand had brushed hers and there was a moment of
electricity. The way she smiled at him, he looked forward to seeing
it.

He loved Melissa, of course he did but the way she seemed unconcerned
about the baby was off putting. He was getting angry with her every
day, trying his best to conceal it. Whenever he brought up the future
and the baby she changed the subject. He didn’t know what to
make of it. It was driving him crazy. He was so unsure of her
feelings lately. And Ettie. Ettie made it easier to deal with. He had
to get his feelings in check. He just enjoyed her company that was
all. And she would be so angry if knew. She was doing this for him
and Melissa. He was confused, about the dynamic with him and Melissa
and projecting on Ettie, that was all.

Melissa came home around six to find Roy measuring the office.

“
What are you doing?” she asked.

“
Oh you startled me. I didn’t hear you
come in,” Roy said surprised.

“
Yeah. Long day. So what are you doing?”

“
I was measuring the room. I thought this
would be a perfect nursery. I got the greatest furniture today.”

“
Roy we have three other bedrooms down the
hall,” Melissa exclaimed.

“
It’s the closest to our bedroom,”
Roy explained.

“
All of my files are in here,” Melissa
protested.