Bear My Babies

Chapter 2

Thomas stared at the phone on his desk. He didn’t know if he should ask her over the phone—it seemed impersonal. He just felt like since there was money in play asking over the phone would be an acceptable way to do it. It would save him from having to look at her pretty face when she turned him down flat. He didn’t think she could afford to, but he also knew everyone in the world wasn’t so easily swayed with the prospect of more money no matter how sick a loved one might be.

Finally, he picked up the phone and called. Her assistant answered.

“Hello, may I speak to Miss Rancic please? This is Thomas McMillian.”

“Oh, yes you can, hold on a second, honey.”

The phone clicked and he nervously waited.

“Mr. McMillian.” She sounded happy to hear from him, but he was sure it was only because she was excited that he may have found a partner to help her with her research. It was really now or never. He didn’t want to scare her with too much money, but he also didn’t want to low ball her, so he had thought carefully.

“I’ll cut to the chase Miss Rancic, I’m prepared to offer you a lump sum payment of $50,000 to be the one to carry my baby. I realize this may come as a shock, but I think you are the perfect candidate and no one else will do.”

That last part was improvised. He waited a long time because she didn’t say anything. For a moment he thought she’d dropped the phone, but finally he heard her clear her throat.

“I’m sorry, you want me to do what?”

“Carry my baby. It’s a great way for us both to get what we want. I mean if that’s what you want, to use your body for science. I’ll pay you for the effort and toll it will take on you, of course.”

“I do want the science to work, and I really need to do the research, I’d just not thought about doing it myself, for you.”

The way she said “for you” made his body tingle a little.

“I know. Think about it, take a week. Once you’ve thought about it for a week, we’ll have dinner and a conversation to decide. No hard feelings if you decide not to, but I can’t think of anyone else in the world who would be more perfect.”

“You don’t even know me, Thomas.” She lowered her voice and the way she said his name caused a small chill to run up his back.

“I know you’re passionate about our world, and that you’re beautiful. What more could I want for my child?”

“There would be a moment when we’d actually have to have s*x for this to work. You realize that don’t you?” She choked on the word s*x.

“I know where babies come from Melissa.” He chuckled.

“Yes, but I’m being serious. That’s why I thought you could pick someone you were intimate with. I’m certainly not ready for a relationship.”

“Right, because of the divorce.” He cringed at the mistake. He wasn’t supposed to know that about her.

“How do you know that?”

He thought quickly. “You introduced yourself as Miss Rancic, but your business cards had a different last name.” He was proud of himself for thinking quick on his feet.

“Oh, yes, well, I don’t really like to talk about that.”

He couldn’t believe that worked. “We don’t have to have a relationship if you’re not ready for one. You can be as involved or uninvolved in the child’s life as you want to. No pressure.”

“I’ll think about it. I have a patient coming in, so I have to go. A week.” She didn’t say goodbye, she just hung the phone up. He took that as a sign she would think of nothing else for the week so at least he’d get an answer. Now it was just a matter of waiting.

He found it difficult to get anything done the rest of the day. It was a very busy day and his assistant had come in three times already and talked for at least a minute before he actually heard her. There was something seriously wrong with him. His phone rang and he jumped before almost dropping it trying to answer. It could be her, with her decision!

“Big brother!” It was his brother, AJ, and he couldn’t help but be a little bit disappointed.

“Little man, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Two weeks from today is Leona’s birthday party at Mom and Dad’s. While I know you loathe them, your niece has asked for her favorite uncle to attend.”

“I’m her only uncle, and since she’s barely three, I doubt she asked for me specifically.”

“Well, I’m asking. You can’t say no to me and it would mean a lot to our parents and Emma if you came.”

“I’ll be there. Can I bring a guest?”

“Only if she’s not incredibly sl*tty. It’s two weeks from tomorrow and don’t buy anything for Lee that makes noise. That crazy-eyed doll you got her last year finally stopped talking. No more of that.”

“I don’t hang around sl*ts.” Thomas pretended to be hurt. “I’ll get her something that only makes a little noise.”

He hung up the phone before his brother could protest. He knew the person he wanted to bring, but it would depend on her answer. His brother was the perfect son. He had gotten lucky and met another were-bear in college and had three perfect little daughters. Emma was the perfect daughter-in-law and their whole little family made Thomas feel completely inadequate.

***

“Are you going to do it?” Tilly sat across from her eating some noodle and meat mash up she’d created from leftovers at her house. She always had the weirdest lunches.

“I don’t know, Tilly. He gave me a week. It’s only been two days. A baby is a big commitment. I can say it’s for science, but if I carry something for nine months then I am sure there will be an attachment on my part.”

“Of course there will be to the baby, and probably its handsome daddy, too. You’ve had a hard road with men, and you’ve certainly not been treated the way you should. There’s honor in the were-bear culture. I think he would treat you like a princess and you could do a lot worse.”

“I’m not ready for that type of relationship, but think about how many doors this will open if it’s successful? I won’t even have to tell him about the effects on me.”

“No, you can’t go into something like this with dishonesty. You need to tell him all the risks that are involved.”

Melissa knew she was right, but she didn’t want to tell him. It was only a possibility that anything would happen to her, and he might not do it if he knew the risks. She clearly had a lot more to think about than she thought she did. The good thing was lunch was over and they were going to have a very busy day.